In the cold, clear dawn of September 10, ten climbers in support of the Alzheimer Society of British Columbia climbed the last ridgeline to stand on the 19,340-foot summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, the roof of Africa. Xypex was proud to team up with the international accounting firm, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, to be a summit sponsor for the climb.
For each one of the climbers it was a personal journey, and the culmination of a commitment made months earlier. Whether it was in memory of a family member afflicted with Alzheimers, or a need to give back to the community, the team came together to climb the mountain, and in the process raised more than $ 100,000 for the Alzheimer Society.
In the final assault, the group left its last camp at Kibo Hut – elevation 15,220 feet – just past midnight to begin the six-hour ascent in the dark. At high altitude, the lack of oxygen affects climbers both physically and mentally, and mirrors the struggle and confusion that those afflicted with Alzheimers endure every day.
On the climb was Sue Ross, wife of Xypex technical advisor Dave Ross. Sue is a registered nurse, who had worked for the last six years with people with Alzheimer’s. Other climbers were Darcy Bender, Angela Chang, Peter Debay, Harry Diemer, Shannon Epp, Lisah Fraser, Kit Morissette, Becki Paterson, and Cliff Saito. “We extend our heartiest congratulations to all who made the ascent,” said Xypex President D’Arcy Mainwaring. “Our company slogan, Being There, not only represents our commitment to the engineers, architects, and contractors who use our products, but also our commitment to the greater community in which we all live.”
