The Rooftop of Africa, MT KILIMANJARO

Cancer continues to be a leading cause of death in Tanzania, where 45 million people live and have almost no access to life saving radiation treatment-there is only two radiation machine in the entire country. What a contrast from what we see here in the USA with one machine for every 70,000 people.

RadiatingHope's mission is to update and provide radiation equipment to developing countries. Our Kili trip is focused on getting radiation equipment in Moshi, Tanzania, a town at the base of Mt Kilimanjaro. Ever since our first visit to Tanzania in 2010 we have been committed to help Tanzania. We met radiologist, Dr. Diefenthal, from Minnesota, who has dedicated 20 years for his life to advancing care in Moshi, at the Kilimanjaro Catholic Medical Center. RadiatingHope will be putting on a cancer conference at this center, called the Greater Horn Oncology Symposium (GHOS). The conference will feature world renown and influential radiation doctors from the U.S., speaking on the role of life saving radiation treatment. Additionally, we have 30 cancer caregivers, survivors, and volunteers who will climb Mt Kilimanjaro as a symbolic show of support to those battling cancer. Cancer patients often compare their cancer journey to climbing a mountain, treacherous and full of obstacles. We will climb Kilimanjaro as a sign of our dedication to push through difficult situations as we advance cancer care and overcome the burden of cancer, by providing appropriate care and therapy to those in Tanzania. We will have a momentous ground breaking of the first ever cancer center in this part of Tanzania, and only the second functional center in the country. This ribbon cutting will take place at the top of Mt Kilimanjaro and will be the highest ever cancer center ground breaking!!

Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, reaches more than 19,000 feet above sea level and is one of the grand seven summits. The power of the journey, more than the grandness of the mountain or beauty of the rain forest, or grandeur of the glacier, will be sharing memories of the triumphs of life, the challenges overcome, and the difficulties which remain. Our team will carry all the prayer flags that have been dedicated over the past four years. Sharing our prayer flag stories will bring meaning to the climb,  as those who have gone before, whether surviving cancer or falling to disease, despite the treatment, will allow us to 'pass along a cure' to those in Tanzanaia who have never had the opportunity to get treatment.
Each thread that unravesl from the flags will not only represent strength, hope and well being to those people who they have been dedicated, but also pass along hope to those in Africa. Follow each day of the trip on our facebook page.  As always, thanks for your support in helping us help ease the pain of cancer worldwide!


Brandon Fisher, President
RadiatingHope