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Who
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Kevin T. Hanney, 29, of Harrison, NY for the benefit
of the American Diabetes Association
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What
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Walking Trek to the Base Camp of Mount Everest,
featuring daily reports to the U.S. media and local schools through satellite
phone and email.
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Where
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Kingdom of Nepal
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When
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November 7-29, 1999
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Why
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The Trek is designed with a twofold purpose:
1) Raise money for the American Diabetes Association primarily for
research and public awareness campaigns relating to diabetes, its treatment,
and possible cures.
2) Spur individuals into action for all kinds of charitable work. Mr. Hanney is a financial professional who has put his career on hold for the purpose of completing the Trek, and hopes others will follow his example to a greater or lesser degree in devoting their time and energy toward charitable goals. |
Detail
Diabetes currently affects almost 16 million Americans and is the sixth
leading cause of death by disease in this country, ahead of breast cancer
and AIDS. One out of every three people who have diabetes is not aware
of it. Many of the tragic consequences and complications resulting from
diabetes can often be avoided with proper care and ongoing treatment. The
American Diabetes Association is a driving force behind education and the
search for a cure.
Everest, with a peak elevation of 29,028 feet, is the world's tallest mountain, and is located on the border of Nepal and Tibet, which are themselves nestled between the countries of India and China. The strenuous three-week hike through the Khumbu region of Nepal will take Mr. Hanney from the capital city of Kathmandu through the hill country of Nepal's Himalayas to elevations in excess of 18,000 feet above sea level. Given the mountainous character of the terrain to be covered, total distance for the trek will be difficult to calculate. However, a goal has been set to cover roughly 20 miles per day, or its equivalent, with a total vertical ascent of almost 40,000 feet.
Currently, work is underway on a media campaign to raise public awareness for the Trek, as well as secure pledges for donations. While the campaign features media appearances and public service announcements prior to the trip, Mr. Hanney will also have the ability to report directly from the field via satellite phone. This will provide the media direct access as the Trek develops. Additionally, this feature will make it possible for local schools and their students to communicate directly with Mr. Hanney while he is in Nepal. The goal of this daily communication is to maintain interest and increase donations over the three week period during which the Trek will be completed as well as provide a unique and enriching educational experience for the students. Several companies specializing in satellite communications were recently contacted for technical assistance in this effort.
Finally, the fundraising campaign targets corporate sponsors as well as individual donations. A letter and email campaign scheduled for launch on September 22, 1999, will be coupled with follow up phone calls to all potential corporate and high net worth individual sponsors over the ensuing weeks. Mr. Hanney is personally covering all expenses for the Trek and fundraising campaign through his professional vehicle, CapitalArts. Activity prior to the campaign has already snared the support of Manhattan based brokerage firm, GF Tate Securities, Inc. and Long Island based, Schaefer Boatworks, Inc.
All those who donate will be eligible to receive an interactive multimedia journal of the Trek put together by Mr. Hanney, himself. The journal will include written personal observations, interviews with many of the people he encounters, audio clips, and scores of photographs he will take along the way. A cyber version of the journal will also be published on the World Wide Web.