March 27, 2013

Los Angeles, CA – Today the international humanitarian relief organization Real Medicine Foundation (RMF) announces Climb for Real™, a mountain climbing program through which private individuals can register and use their climb to raise awareness of the organization’s international work and fundraise for RMF’s projects around the world. The program is being launched with its first volunteer already on board: George Clardy, who splits his time between Los Angeles and Ventura County, will climb Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, for Real Medicine this fall.

Dr. Fuchs says, “When I met George at a party last summer, I was very impressed that he had accomplished to do almost all items on his bucket list; climbing Kilimanjaro was the last one remaining. We discussed RMF’s projects around the world, especially in Africa, and he decided that evening to climb Kilimanjaro to raise awareness and funds for our global work – a perfect fit since his extraordinary physical mission as well as our humanitarian work push limits of what is possible.”  

Mount Kilimanjaro, located in Tanzania, is a dormant volcanic mountain and the highest mountain in Africa as well as the highest freestanding mountain in the world at 5,895 meters or 19,341 feet. Climb for Real™ sponsors, whether individual or corporate, may support climbers for every kilometer, every day, or another donation of choice. Climber costs are privately paid for, ensuring that public donations to Clardy and other climbers will directly fund Real Medicine’s work providing crucial aid on four continents across the world. The organization has a number of programs in Africa itself, in Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Uganda and South Sudan.

Climbing Kilimanjaro is the last item on Clardy’s personal “Bucket List”.  He says, “It is really about life, not my List.  It’s important to recognize that you can read, watch TV, or ignore the world, or you can use your talents and resources to take action and facilitate positive changes in the lives of others who are less fortunate. That’s what the people of the Real Medicine Foundation are doing every day.  You can talk about climbing a mountain or you can put one foot in front of the other.”

Real Medicine is actively enrolling additional climbers, and will continue to provide updates as the Climb for Real™ team members prepare for their autumn ascent. RMF is currently accepting corporate and individual sponsorships for the program. For more information about Climb for Real™ please go to: http://kilimanjaro.kintera.org.

ABOUT REAL MEDICINE FOUNDATION

Real Medicine Foundation (RMF) is at the new frontier of humanitarian aid, creating long-term solutions to health and poverty-related issues around the globe. By creating effective models and adaptable solutions, and providing necessary care and strategic resources, we pave the way for communities around the world – in Africa, Asia, and the Americas – to become strong and self-sufficient.  Real Medicine’s has garnered global attention for its work, including its maternal and child health initiative in South Sudanand a massive malnutrition eradication program in Madhya Pradesh, India. Real Medicine’s Founder and CEO Dr. Martina Fuchs was recently honored with Lifetime’s Remarkable Woman award.  Please visit www.realmedicinefoundation.org for a full list of international aid initiatives and news.