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Orlando area Gastroenterologist Dr. Sri Pothamsetty took his mission to raise colon cancer awareness to new heights when he summited Mt. Kilimanjaro on July 21.

In conjunction with the Colon Cancer Coalition, he travelled to Tanzania to take on the highest mountain in Africa, an elevation of 19,341 feet. The one week long climb culminated in his unfurling a banner promoting colon cancer awareness at the summit.

"The climb was difficult, at times, brutal" Dr. Pothamsetty said. "But if it means even one colon cancer is prevented because of my effort, it would have been worth it. My mother was diagnosed with colon cancer 3 years ago. Since then, this crusade to raise the awareness of the need to get everyone screened for colon cancer has become very, very personal for me".

According to official summit success rate figures published by the Kilimanjaro National Park, only 45 percent of climbers succeed in reaching the summit. Obstacles faced by climbers include Acute Mountain Sickness including High Altitude Cerebral Edema, High Altitude Pulmonary Edema, falls and hypothermia.