Canadian Red Cross Timmins District Branch Manager, Heather Cranney
For her 50th birthday, Heather Cranney decided she wanted to do something special and give back to her community.
The district branch manager for the Canadian Red Cross Timmins branch is en route to Africa today to conquer Mt. Kilimanjaro. She is doing this on her own vacation time and dime to raise money for Feast or Famine – an annual campaign in which people fast for 24 hours to raise money for the Timmins branch.
“I wanted to do something; I wanted to challenge myself,” says Heather, explaining why she wanted to do the trek for her milestone birthday. “The more I thought about it, I had to do it. It was calling to me.”
This year’s Feast or Famine happens October 6-7. Heather, who’s a proud grandma, is hoping to reach Mt. Kilimanjaro’s peak the last day of the campaign.
Mt. Kilimanjaro
Located in Tanzania and reaching 19,000 ft above sea level, Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and is considered one of the top treks in the world. About 22,000 people attempt to climb the mountain every year.
Even though the climb isn’t as technical as say Mt. Everest, climbers still face high altitudes, low temperatures, and occasional high winds which can make it difficult and dangerous. Even the most experienced climbers can experience altitude sickness. According to stats by the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, only 30 per cent of trekkers ever make it to the summit.
Some celebs that have conquered Kilimanjaro to date include actress Jessica Biel, actor Emile Hirsch, and the granddaughter of French explorer Jacques Cousteau, Alexandra Cousteau.
Good luck Heather! We look forward to seeing your photos from the summit!