No summit is beyond reach to benefit the children of St. Jude.

At 33, I set one of the biggest challenges of my life: reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

The climb was intense. It meant six days on foot, pushing both my body and my mind. On the final day, I slept just one hour in the afternoon before starting the last stretch at 11 p.m. I walked beneath the most beautiful sky, lit by the Milky Way and shooting stars. 

At more than 5,000 meters above sea level, I developed acute mountain sickness, a condition caused by lower air pressure and reduced oxygen at high altitude. The tour guides acted quickly. They helped me eat, hydrate and focus on my breathing. 

In the middle of that struggle, I reminded myself I was not there just for a personal goal. Every step I took had a much bigger purpose: to raise funds and awareness for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®. 

I thought about children receiving cancer care every day. I realized my pain was nothing compared to what they were going through. That changed everything for me. I decided to keep going one step at a time.

At sunrise, I felt a renewed sense of hope. My tour guide told me we were two hours from the summit. But once again, holding on to my purpose gave me the strength to keep moving.

At 8:35 a.m., I reached the summit. I cried with joy. I had not only climbed the mountain, I had followed through on my commitment. And it confirmed once again that most of life’s challenges are more mental than physical.

The journey did not end there. I still had a descent of more than 15 hours ahead of me. It was exhausting, but I made it. I returned home to Arlington, Virginia, to hug my loved ones with a deep gratitude for everyone who supported me along the way. 

When I started this journey, I committed to raising $10,000 for St. Jude. I knew it would not be easy, so I used every tool I could. Using social media, I connected with people who believed in me and in this mission. I also leaned into something I love: cooking. I hosted fundraising dinners that brought together family, friends and members of my community.

Little by little, support grew. Donations came in from across the United States, Puerto Rico and Australia. Even in my home country, the Dominican Republic, people showed up for me in ways that kept me going.

I am proud to say I not only reached my fundraising goal, I exceeded it. Every dollar represents hope for the children of St. Jude.

Looking back, I know this dream became reality because it was tied to something bigger than myself. 

And if there is one thing I learned, it is this: When you stand behind something that truly matters, there is no goal you cannot reach. Together, there is no summit we cannot climb to benefit the children of St. Jude.