01-06-2025
Man conquers the ‘Seven Summits' for young cancer patients
(NewsNation) — One dad is on a mission to help children with cancer, one mountain at a time.
Len Forkas just reached the top of Mount Everest, battling temperatures below -40 degrees and getting through a raging snowstorm in the process. His climb to the world's tallest peak — his second attempt after a failed expedition in 2023 — was fueled by something greater than the conditions he encountered.
Each leg of the trek to the top of Everest was dedicated to a child currently fighting cancer. He carried their photos and stories in his pack, turning every step into a statement of solidarity.
With his success at Everest, Forkas completed the 'Seven Summits,' reaching the highest peak of each of the seven continents. He's the fifth-oldest person in the world to achieve the incredible feat.
'I can always stop and go home. These kids don't have that choice. They have to get to the finish line,' Forkas told 'NewsNation Prime' Saturday. 'They're fighting for their own mortality. If that doesn't motivate you to want to continue to move forward and honor them, I don't know what does.'
Forkas, a tech entrepreneur, founded the not-for-profit Hopecam after his son was diagnosed with leukemia in 2003.
'At the toughest time in my son's life, when he needed to be with his friends the most, he was isolated from them, and as a dad, I wanted to help him,' he recalled.
Partial remains of British climber believed found 100 years after Everest ascent
Years before Zoom was commonly used by people online, Forkas was able to connect to a classroom camera remotely so that his son could see his friends.
Today, Hopecam similarly connects hundreds of young cancer patients with their peers to help them cope.
'The mental health of these children who are fighting for their own survival is so significant, and it takes resources,' Forkas said.
His son, Matt, recovered and is 32.
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