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Local Doctor Climbs Mt. Kilimanjaro For Worthy Cause

PITTSBURGH (NewsRadio 1020) - KDKA's Larry Richert and John Shumway have talked to people all over the world but Wednesday they took their first ever call from the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro when UPMC neurosurgeon Dr. Joseph Maroon checked in.

On February 20th, Dr. Maroon started his trek up Mt. Kilimanjaro as the medical director of the climb with the "Live Free – African Freedom Tour", led by triple amputee and friend of Dr. Maroon Rajesh Dubal.

From the top of the mountain, by satellite phone, Dr. Maroon told Larry and John, "this is a very very difficult mountain to climb."

Dr. Maroon said it was an amazing experience and along on his trip he was joined by his daughter and three individuals with no legs, one individual with both legs amputated and an arm, and another with no arms.

He says to see those people climb a mountain was one of the most inspiring things he's ever seen.

Larry told Dr. Maroon he set the bar pretty high and he responded with, "well 19,000 feet high today Larry."

Along with working at UPMC Dr. Maroon is also the team neurosurgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Live Free Foundation tries to help as many people that are lost and have no hope. They aim to encourage people to live the best life they can.

Dr. Joseph Maroon

Listen to the KDKA Morning News with Larry Richert and John Shumway weekdays from 5 to 9 a.m. on NewsRadio 1020 KDKA.

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