Kilimanjaro Climb for 22q13 Deletion Foundation

Kilimanjaro Climb Team

Cern Basher, Nolan Basher, Arthur (Dan) Fisk, Wendy Rogers

Do it for Dane

Children and Adults with 22q13 deletion syndrome face obstacles in their everyday lives. Beginning May 18, 2007 a team of climbers will face a big obstacle of their own as they begin a trek up the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro. The goal of this climb is to raise awareness of the 22q13 deletion syndrome (www.22q13.org) and raise money to help fund the 22q13 Deletion Foundation.

Mt. Kilimanjaro, formed by three volcanos, is the highest mountain in Africa at 19,340 feet or 5,895m, and it's the highest free standing mountain in the world. Although not difficult in mountaineering terms (like Mt. Everest), the climb will still be quite challenging. The climb will take 10 days (8 ½ days to climb up & 1 ½ days to get back down). The team will climb through five major vegetation zones on the way to the summit.

Although Kilimanjaro is among the easiest of the world’s major peaks, to summit requires climbing above 19,000 feet, good physical conditioning, enduring the elements, and a strong will to accomplish the task. While anyone in good fitness can expect to have a good chance at completing the climb, the big unknown is how one's body will react to the lower level of oxygen. Failure to properly acclimatize can lead to Acute Mountain Sickness.

Cern Basher, the 22q13 Kilimanjaro Team leader and father of Dane Basher (7 yrs old with the 22q13 deletion) explains why he’s doing this climb:

“Our son Dane is not yet able to speak or walk independently, but he works so hard everyday to learn to do those things. In the local Wachagga dialect, the name of the mountain is Kilima-Ngiaro, meaning the ‘journey which has no ending.’ This is the journey that Dane bravely faces. Dane has inspired his grandfather, our friends Wendy and Dan, and me to do this climb and push ourselves to achieve heights we’ve never obtained. If Dane can put in so much effort each and every day, then we can certainly climb this mountain. We have no lack of motivation. Our motto for the climb is ‘Do it for Dane’. And, we will.”

The team has been training since September 2006 for the climb. Dan has currently lost over 45 pounds and is training hard everyday. Wendy, a strong kayaker, has been working on strengthening her core. And, Nolan has been climbing active volcanos in New Zealand!

Further details about our climb can be found at: www.22q13climb.com

Donating using a credit card through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. Or, if you'd prefer, checks can be made out to the 22q13 Deletion Foundation and mailed to:

22q13 Deletion Foundation

c/o Gail Stapleton
Greenwood Genetic Center

2 Doctors Drive
Greenville, SC 29605

Please write "Kilimanjaro Climb" in the memo section.

Important Note: 100% of the funds we raise will be donated to the 22q13 Deletion Foundation - none of the money raised is being used to pay for the expenses of our climb.

Many thanks for your support -- and please forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!

OFFLINE DONORS:

Madison Wealth Management: $2,500

Charles Schwab Institutional: $1,000

Tweedy, Browne Company: $1,000

Ariel Capital Management: $500

Nancy and Don Gurney: $100

Stan Roscoe: $100

Marc and Suzanne Marcum: $100

Susan Struble: $100

Virginia Pohl: $1,000

Claire Briller and Mel Lissner: $25

Richard McDermott and Jane Nagle: $75

Thomas and Jane Kessinger: $59

Nazir Rahemtulla: $100

Christian and Holly End: $40

The Greater New Orleans Foundation - Barbara Lubran: $180

Practical Intelligence At Work, Inc - Regina Colonia-Willner: $50

Breen and Schneider Families: $500

Kay and Joseph Susshine: $50

Kevin and Melissa Gardner: $100

Andrew Egloff: $100

Dan and Janet Geeding: $150

Southeast Collision Analysis - Bucky Beaver: $100

Yacktman Asset Management: $200

William and Shirley Bramson: $100

Barbara Rosen: $10

Jill Firman: $30

Phil, Anne and Gina Rugari: $59

Ralph and Patti Haney: $15

Anonymous: $85

Lon Kriner: $20

Anniston Plating and Metal Finishing: $200

Anna Cash-Ghee: $40

Scott and Rosemarie Wetterau: $25

Mary Noel Reuter: $60

Mary Visconti and Timothy White: $50

Larry and Brenda Volski: $50

Robert and Lois Kuresman: $50

Craig and Susan Davis: $30

Janice Walker: $50

Jim and Marilyn Boothe: $25

Bob and Brenda Bertsch: $350

Carol Winkelmann and John Ippoliti: $30

Thomas and Susan Brisken: $25

Trudelle Thomas: $50

Sarah and Mike Nelson: $50

Julie and Leonard Rowekamp: $25

Robert Hock: $50

Becky Hoerr: $60

Malone Law Office: $500

Human Factors and Ergonomics Society: $1,000

Mary and Gregory Lunn: $100

Logan Conner: $20 (Facebook)

Katy Phelan: $250

Fred Klassen: $25

Joe and Krista Hack: $100

Richard Ellum: $50

Mary Vertuca: $20

George and Romaine Koumoutsos: $50

James and Betty Baker: $25

Nancy & Steve Cersonsky: $50

For further information please email Cern Basher at: cbasher@fuse.net

Comment	Donation
Bob Rinaldi Cern, sorry it took me so long to get to this. 12/17/2007	$100.00
Mandy Cole and Alan Willey 6/30/2007	$25.00
Mary Carol & Paul Congratulations on your accomplishment! And deepest admiration for your commitment and love. 6/12/2007	$100.00
Art and Nancy This 1's for you! Congratulations and give a hug to Dane. 6/8/2007	$100.00
Margaret Maybury 6/5/2007	$25.00
Kristen Gilbert Congratulations! You all are amazing! 6/2/2007	$50.00
Elizabeth Mynatt Yeah Wendy and Dan!! 5/31/2007	$100.00
The Tasset Family Samantha's family 5/31/2007	$100.00
Chris Mayhorn Great work....go team go :-) See you in the friendlier environment of Baltimore soon! 5/30/2007	$50.00
Colleen Ward For Meryl, Jim, Simon and Noa Ospenson 5/29/2007	$10.00
John & Julie Mattern & family 5/28/2007	$100.00
Chuck and Kathy Shrader 5/27/2007	$50.00
Christina and Brian Donnelly Thank you for the insperation that you are giving so many people 5/24/2007	$100.00
David & Judy Motz Go Cern! 5/23/2007	$250.00
Heather McDermid Best of luck! 5/22/2007	$250.00
steve klump Good luck 5/21/2007	$25.00
Patty Mulligan and Hedy Carter Good luck! Have fun! 5/21/2007	$50.00
Mark and Beth Wiley You are an inspiration! We will pray for you. 5/20/2007	$100.00
Diana & Patrick Lockaby-Cotter We love you guys. We'll be there in Spirit... stay strong! 5/17/2007	$50.00
Rosa Arriaga Climb, Wendy! Climb!! 5/16/2007	$50.00
Hilary Good luck and have fun!! Wish I could be photographing your climb! 5/16/2007	$25.00
John Peifer Good Luck and Great Weather to Wendy, Dan & team 5/15/2007	$250.00
Dick Pew Go for it 5/14/2007	$100.00
Chris say hi to the top!! 5/14/2007	$50.00
Marv Dainoff upward! 5/14/2007	$50.00
Tonya Smith-Jackson 5/14/2007	$75.00
Prof. P. aka Len No mountain is too high. 5/13/2007	$100.00
Margaret Basher I love you Dane 5/11/2007	$100.00
Bob & Judy Alexander Enjoy the climb for Dane - will watch the progress 5/11/2007	$50.00
the sevigny family Elizabeths family 5/10/2007	$250.00
Janet Coleman Good luck and be safe! 5/10/2007	$50.00
PricewaterhouseCoopers Saskatoon Jean Day Proceeds 5/10/2007	$100.00
Cara Bruce 5/10/2007	$35.00
Norm and Jo Ann Barry What a wonderful endeavor 5/9/2007	$25.00
Katie and Ellie Deacon Remember to change your socks 5/7/2007	$50.00
Sarah Valentine 5/3/2007	$10.00
Laura Arthur 'A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step' - good luck! (Facebook) 5/2/2007	$25.00
Max Vercruyssen A penny a foot isn't much but it is support for every step. Have a life-changing experience! 4/30/2007	$193.40
Leo Klein 4/30/2007	$100.00
The Gannon Family 4/29/2007	$25.00
Fred Good luck with the climb - Great work 4/28/2007	$50.00
Cindy McPhedran Thanks for doing this for all our kids! 4/27/2007	$100.00
Garnett, Andrea, Andrew and Grace Volk Good Luck on the Climb & Thank You!!! 4/27/2007	$100.00
anon Looking forward to the pictures! 4/27/2007	$100.00
Ronnie Good luck to you and to Dane! My niece, Ella, is 2 and also has 22q13.3. 4/26/2007	$250.00
Daniel Marschner 4/26/2007	$25.00
John Batchelor 4/25/2007	$100.00
Jim Barrett Good Luck Cern 4/23/2007	$100.00
Bala and Usha All the very best from your neighbors. Do it for Dane! 4/22/2007	$25.00
Chris Dacey and Bill Tedford Looking forward to hearing about your adventures 4/20/2007	$150.00

FirstGiving

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Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation

Kilimanjaro Climb for 22q13 Deletion Foundation 5/18/2007
Training buddies: Nolan, Wendy and Dan

Kilimanjaro Climb for 22q13 Deletion Foundation

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