California Heart Transplant Recipient Scales the Matterhorn

A 42-year-old California women has become the first heart transplant recipient to reach the summit of the Matterhorn.

Kelly Perkins of Laguna Nigel, California, said she was "amazed" at how well she held out during the 12-hours it took to scale the 14,700-foot peak and return to the base.

"I believe this feat is extraordinary for any person, especially a heart transplant recipient," said Dr. Jon Kobashigawa, medical director of the UCLA Heart Transplant Program and Perkins' cardiologist. "Kelly is truly a role model for all patients who are afflicted with serious illnesses."

In November 1995, when Perkins was being transported by helicopter to the UCLA Medical Center, the pilot banked over Disneyland to let Perkins get a glimpse of its Matterhorn replica.

"It was one of those moments which just stayed with us," said Perkins.

Sincer her transplant, Perkins has scaled the Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, California's Mt. Whitney, Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro and Japan's Mt. Fuji, where she scattered the ashes of her donor.

Other Sources: Swiss Media