Kathmandu, January 12
Kathmandu-based 8K Expeditions Pvt. Ltd. has provided financial assistance of Rs 100,000 to the family of Prema Rogu, a 19-year-old resident of Mahalaxmi Municipality-2 in Dhankuta district who is battling a rare bone marrow disease.
Upon learning about Prema's condition and the financial challenges faced by her family through a news story published in The Himalayan Times, the country's reputed adventure company offered Rs 100,000 for Prema's treatment.
Prema, a Bachelor of Science degree student, is undergoing treatment at the civil hospital in Kathmandu. Her medical care has been interrupted due to shortage of funds.
8K's Managing Director and Expedition Leader Lakpa Sherpa handed over cash to Bishnu Kumar Rogu, Prema's father at Civil Hospital this afternoon. "After reading the news in THT, we took initiatives to provide financial aid for Prema's treatment," Sherpa, who is also a record-holding climber, shared.
Prema's father Bishnu thanked the 8K family for their heartfelt support. "Their support means a lot to our family as we are struggling hard to manage a hefty sum for Prema's treatment," he said.
THT covered a news story about Prema's health condition on December 4. Doctors said that the family needed to spend at least Rs 10 million to treat the patient. Leukemia has now been spreading to the bone marrow rapidly, as per the doctors. Microscopic examination indicated that hypercellular marrow showed predominant blast with high N:C ratio.
"We have been supporting the needy under the company's corporate social responsibility," Lakpa said, adding that every foreigner who spent funds for their adventure activities through 8K were contributing at least 1.5 per cent of total spending to the company's CSR.
8K Expeditions, one of the country's largest outfitters, is run by three young tourism entrepreneurs - Lakpa Sherpa, Pemba Sherpa, and Lakpa Thendu Sherpa, who have more than a decade of experience in the tourism field.
Lakpa Sherpa is a professional mountaineer, profound rescuer, an artist and social activist. He has spent more than 13 years mapping the Himalayas. Lakpa, as an exceptional trekking and mountaineering guide has led hundreds of climbers to the summit of the world's highest peaks, mostly Mt. Everest and Mt. K2. "My motto is to bring transformational changes to climbing, climbers, and the locals through the activities of 8K," he said.
Pemba Sherpa is a passionate adventure lover who has dedicated almost 10 years of his career to the Tourism Industry. Pemba has been a part of numerous expeditions and treks supporting them with the expertise of his management skills.
Having gained enormous experiences in Trekking, tours, peak climbing, and high altitude mountaineering, Lakpa Thendu Sherpa has successfully led hundreds of groups of international trekkers and climbers to different mountains above 6000m, 7000m, and 8000 m as well. He has worked with teams from Korea, the UK, the Indian Army, the Indo-Nepal Army, Singapore, Morocco, and many others from different parts of the world in his career. "Our mission is to serve our adventure-seeking clients with life-changing trips ensured with top-notch service and a high level of safety," he said.
