Daniel Godin

A couple of days ago I wrote a post about former deputy PM John Manley climbing Kilimanjaro to raise funds for CARE Canada. In today’s blog update he informed the world of some tragic news.

Marcel Bujold, a fellow CARE climber, has died.

“Mr. Bujold, a resident of Carleton, Quebec, passed away as he was being evacuated from the mountain due to illness. After suffering some distress, he was provided oxygen and was accompanied by one medically trained guide and four porters to return to the base of the mountain. Unfortunately, Mr. Bujold’s condition deteriorated, and hours into the evacuation he passed away. ” - Source

Several of the climbers from the CARE group have decided to abandon the climb to return to the base of the mountain with Bujold’s wife, who was also a member of the group. The rest are moving forward in memory of Mr. Bujold.

It really is sad when terrible things happen to people with such good intentions.

I’m always happy to see fellow Canadians making news either in the world of mountaineering, or through it.

Yesterday a coworker of mine informed me that the honourable John Manley, a former Canadian Deputy Prime Minister is currently climbing Kilimanjaro to raise awareness and support for CARE Canada. Coincidentally enough, former minister Manley was, at one time, the MP responsible for the federal department at which I now work.

The Cause

The group is climbing in an attempt to raise $150,000 for international emergency relief initiatives, and “market-based economic development in the developing world.” This diverse party of climbers includes everyone from elite business individuals to students, and every day Canadians. (more…)