Certified B Corporation™ and impact-driven adventure brand, Cotopaxi, is proud to partner with Range of Motion Project (ROMP), and National Geographic Explorer, Dr. Albert Lin for the organization’s 10th annual Climbing for ROMP Campaign. The two organizations embarked on an attempted summit of Camyambe to draw awareness to both organizations’ exploration and work within the region.
Courtesy of Cotopaxi
ROMP’s annual campaign raises awareness about the lack of equitable access to prosthetic care globally and the significance of rights for those with disabilities, with the ROMP team and three select groups of adaptive athletes, industry leaders and disability rights advocates attempting to summit the three highest peaks in Ecuador: Ecuador—Chimborazo (20,549 ft), Cotopaxi (19,347 ft), and Cayambe (18,996 ft).
In preparation for the ascent of Cayambe, Cotopaxi, or Chimborazo, the ROMP x Cotopaxi teams trained and fundraised together ahead of the climb for six months, with a goal of raising $500,000 to directly support 250 ROMP patients and aid ROMP in the expansion of their services within Latin America. While the Cayambe climb team was unable to reach the nearly 19,000 ft summit due to severe storms and unsafe snow conditions, their extensive preparation allowed them to reach the glacier at 16,500 feet and celebrate the accomplishment as a full team. Climbing for ROMP is not about the summit, but instead about the lasting impact we create for ROMP patients through our fundraising efforts.
ROMP has been an impact partner of the Cotopaxi Foundation since 2021, leveraging the program to provide assistive devices and proper prosthetic care for people with amputation in Ecuador. A recent grant from Cotopaxi via the Foundation allowed for ROMP to open a satellite clinic in the Ecuadorian Amazon and expand services via mobile clinics to reach rural communities across Ecuador and Guatemala.
As both a Cotopaxi DO GOOD Brand Ambassador and ROMP Ambassador, Dr. Albert Lin strengthens the ties between the two organizations to celebrate 2024 as the 10th anniversary for both organizations.
“ROMP has been an important impact partner of the Cotopaxi Foundation for some time now, and this is the perfect time to connect a Cotopaxi brand ambassador to our Foundation’s work,” says Brad Hiranaga, Chief Brand Officer at Cotopaxi. “ROMP’s 10th Anniversary climbing fundraiser has been a seamless way to partner with Albert Lin’s on supporting and bringing attention to an organization whose mission we believe in.”
The ROMP team was particularly excited to have Lin join this year’s expedition, as he speaks from personal experience to the importance of providing high-quality prosthetic care to amputees through his work. “Having Albert join us on our tenth anniversary climb was particularly meaningful for us,” says Lauren Panasewicz, Director of Development at ROMP. “As an explorer who not only pushes the boundaries of human achievement but also deeply understands the unique challenges and capabilities of amputees, Albert’s involvement resonates powerfully with our mission. His participation shines a spotlight on the vital work we’re doing to ensure that amputees have access to the prosthetic care they need to pursue their own extraordinary journeys.”
“I’m so proud to have been a part of this incredible team and have attempted this challenging climb with Carlos, one of ROMPs patients,” comments Lin. “Without access to a prosthetic, I could not do daily things let alone explore the ends of the earth or climb a mountain. With a prosthetic, I can do anything I set my mind to and this should not be a privilege. This campaign tries to change that and will fundamentally transform lives for the better. My hope is that this can show everyone, that even in their moment of doubt, that they can climb their own mountains, there is a community that cares, and we are all in this together.”
About Cotopaxi
Cotopaxi is a B Corporation that makes adventure travel gear to empower people to see the world and make it better. Our Gear for GoodⓇ promise is to make our products as ethically, sustainably, and durably as possible, while having a positive social, environmental, and economic impact. We dedicate 1% of revenue to the Cotopaxi Foundation, which supports nonprofit partners with proven track records of alleviating poverty. Through our Foundation to date, we have helped more than 4.25 million individuals experiencing extreme poverty. For more information, visit www.cotopaxi.com.
About ROMP
ROMP is dedicated to ensuring access to high-quality prosthetic care for underserved people, improving their mobility and independence. In developing countries, amputation is much more prevalent due to lack of quality, consistent health care and access to rehabilitative services and technology is minimal. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 90 percent of those in need of assistive devices worldwide do not have access including prosthetic care. ROMP is changing this statistic. To date, ROMP has conducted over 14,000 patient visits and delivered more than 5,250 devices to those in need since 2005. For more information or to make a donation, visit www.rompglobal.org.
