How far would you go to raise money for a good cause? For Paul O’Hollaren ’97, the answer is 19,000 feet – straight up.
In January, O’Hollaren climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Inspired by a friend’s daughter who battled leukemia (now in remission), O’Hollaren raised more than $4,000 through an eight-day Climb to Cure event.
O’Hollaren, a district sales manager for Medtronic, climbed with 14 others from around the United States. As their bodies adjusted to the altitude, they experienced nausea, dizziness, headaches and imbalance.
“To get the summit, you have to mentally overcome these obstacles and just keep moving forward, one foot in front of the other,” says O’Hollaren.
On summit day, the team began its six-hour climb at midnight to reach the Uhuru Peak, also known as the Roof of Africa.
“Setting lofty goals for yourself will stretch you in ways you didn’t think possible,” says O’Hollaren, who ultimately climbed 45 miles and 11,000 feet in elevation. “Having a plan, preparing appropriately and having mental fortitude all contributed to reaching the peak of Kilimanjaro.”
– Natalie Kelley ’18
