Francois Langlois

Aconcagua Everest Logan McKinley Kilimanjaro Elbrus Carstensz

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Humanitarian Vision

My dad told me a story when I was twelve;

I was born prematurely at 4 pounds, with underdeveloped lungs. Not believing I would live the day, I was therefore baptized right then and there, by the doctor, my dad!

I spent the first 5 weeks of my life in an incubator, dropped to 2 pounds, had multiple blood transfusions, jaundice, basically fighting off a whole slew of illnesses, fighting for my right to stay! 35 years have now gone by and with my fully developed lungs; I had the privilege to set foot a top of the world’s highest mountain; Everest. In those beautiful 15 minutes that I stood there, gazing at our amazing world, I made a promise; to help give back the gift I received.

Here below are a few of the causes that I support. I believe you have to do what passions you in life, while giving back along the way, 100% right to the source. I want to leave this place better then how I found it!

Recently, we found out that the pain in my chest was in fact a 2 pound benign tumor the size of a grapefruit on my left lung. It seems that I have carried this tumor with me since birth and climbed with it over the years. It was with me on Everest. As they removed the tumor, it burst, spilling a pint of fluid outside instead of in my lungs. I was sparred from a pulmonary edema that while on the Everest, would have been fatal.

I enjoy with what eyes I see the world today!

The Montreal Children’s Hospital
My story is one many stories that occur inside the walls of these wonderful children institutions. They placed my story as the forward to the their book : 100 years of stories at the MCH. I was their client many many years ago!

The Make-A-Wish Foundation
It is the world’s largest children’s foundation, operating in over 32 countries. They have granted over 160,000 wishes to date. I helped prepare 29 climbers and together we ALL reached the top of Africa’s hghest peak; Mount Kilimanjaro. Not only was it a 100% success rate, but we nearly doubled the objectif and raised $300,000. That means 40 wishes have come true for children with life threatening diseases. Here are few photos of wishes we granted: Thalya’s story particularly touched me. At 5 years old and suffering from spinal amytotrophia, she got her wish to swim with the dolphins. Thalya passed away a few weeks later.

World Vision I sponsor a child in each of the countries of the seven summits I climb. Here are of two them: Seema Barai from Nepal, Sirere Leeo from Kenya. My monthly contributions puts food on their plate and lets them go to school.

Fondation Centre de cancérologie Charles-Bruneau
(affiliated with the Sainte Justine Hospital for Children ): I am going back to Kilimanjaro with 30 other climbers in 2008 . Together we will live our dreams, while helping to make the dreams of children with leukemia come true, to be able to grow up! Here are two of our children: Félix and Nycolanne!

Outdoor Children’s Fundraising event

One great story I am proud and enjoy sharing; during my Everest presentations at a few schools, we gave the students a challenge: if they would raise money for sick children, I would go climbing with them! Not only did these children rise to the challenge, but they managed to raise $12,000. Kids helping Kids! What greater inspiration! Well, 300 students (7 school buses!), I and a several volunteers went to climb the Laurentians third highest peak: Mount Kaaïkop. It was a fantastic day!

Child Haven International
Although the organizations I support during my charity expeditions are based in Canada, I also make it a point to support local charities of the countries we visit. I often invite my group members, prior to our adventure, to visit a local orphanage or Foundation. The Founders of Childhaven are in fact based in Canada, and they have done amazing things for Children in underdeveloped countries. Do look at their website and you will read a great story and you will see that they use the donations wisely!!! One of their Children's home is in Kathmandu, Nepal. I will be visiting there again in April, with the members of my next charity Trek!!!


	© 2001-2007 François Langlois. All right reserved.