In 2022, kidney donor Corey Zaretsky launched his #OneKidneyUpKili mission to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s largest mountain as an effort to raise funds and awareness for the National Kidney Foundation and for potential organ donors.  In 2014, Corey donated a kidney to his younger brother, Matty who needed a transplant.  Matty was born with kidney disease from a rare genetic disorder called Nail Patella Syndrome.  Since their successful donation and recovery, Corey has spent the last 9 years living his life to the fullest and doing everything he can to prove to the world that you can donate an organ, save someone’s life and still fulfill all of your wildest dreams.
 

Corey’s #OneKidneyUpKili mission raised nearly $60,000 for the National Kidney Foundation as well as educated and inspired thousands regarding kidney disease and organ donation however his summit of the tallest single mountain in the world has inspired him to do more.  This year at the 2024 National Kidney Foundation Reaching New Heights Cocktail and Honors Reception Corey has announced his next challenge, taking his One Kidney Across the World as being the first organ donor to reach the seven summits – reaching the top of the tallest mountain on each of the seven continents.  Having already summited Africa’s tallest mountain, he now sets his sights on Mount Vinson, Antarctica’s highest summit of over 16,000 feet.
 

Corey is looking for support in donations, sponsors and encouragement to help him continue to inspire the masses. Why? Because if reaching the top of this mountain can even inspire one person to donate a kidney this will be a massive success.  Donating is to give the ultimate gift – the gift of life to someone else.