Len Forkas, a 63-year-old Reston resident, operates Hopecam, a nonprofit group that provides young cancer patients with a webcam equipped tablet so they can participate in classroom activities and see their friends. To date Forkas has raised $250,000 for his organization but wants get to $1 million.
“We all learned what happens when people are isolated for long periods of time as a result of the pandemic, but these kids are isolated because they can’t socialize with their friends, because their immune system can’t afford that,” said Forkas. He said the purpose is to fight the loneliness kids experience as they go through their treatment where they’re isolated.
Forkas’ trip is planned to start on April 10th when he’ll fly to Kathmandu, Nepal where he’ll meet with his guide and travel to a town called Lukla. While not new to climbing, Forkas is equally excited and scared. As long as weather cooperates, Forkas said when he makes it all the way to the top, at 29,000 feet, he said he’ll “thank God and all the people that have supported me.”