Pemba Sherpa had undergone a kidney transplant on November 18, 2022 (Kartik 2, 2079 BS) at Shaheed Dharmabhakta National Transplant Center. The transplant was successfully led by Dr. Pukar Chandra Shrestha and his medical team. Sherpa’s journey from a patient battling kidney failure, discovered during his time abroad in foreign employment, to a globally recognized mountaineer is a story of resilience and sheer determination.
Recalling the moment when Sherpa sought his advice, Dr. Shrestha shared, “Pemba asked if someone with a kidney transplant could climb Everest. I told him, if you’re physically fit, there’s no reason you can’t live life like anyone else.”
Climbing Against All Odds
During the event, Sherpa recounted the skepticism he faced from many, including friends and well-wishers who feared for his safety. “People questioned why someone who narrowly escaped death would risk their life again. Some even asked me not to be stubborn about such an impossible goal,” he said. “But I was determined to prove that transplant recipients are not limited by their medical history.”
With immense courage, Sherpa managed to raise around NPR 2.5 to 3 million (25–30 lakhs) in support to finance his expedition. The transplant center also sponsored his Mount Everest permit fee, which was officially handed over during the ceremony.
Inspiring the World, One Peak at a Time
Pemba Sherpa has now set his eyes on an even greater goal. With renewed confidence and support from the transplant community, he declared, “This is just the beginning. I aim to climb the highest peaks of all seven continents.”
Previously, on March 22, 2024, he successfully summited Lobuche Peak, and on May 14, 2024, he made his historic ascent of Mount Everest, setting a new benchmark in medical and adventure history.
Medical and Community Support
At the felicitation ceremony, several doctors, including Dr. Kalpana Shrestha, joined the celebration, adorning Sherpa with ceremonial scarves and expressing admiration for his strength and willpower. The event also served to underscore the importance of post-transplant care, community support, and rehabilitation as part of the healing journey.
The Shaheed Dharmabhakta National Transplant Center continues to lead in organ transplant success stories in Nepal, and Sherpa’s feat now stands as a living example of what is possible with medical excellence, personal determination, and community support.
A Message to the Nation and the World
As the first kidney transplant recipient to summit the world’s highest mountain, Pemba Sherpa’s journey is not just a personal triumph, but a symbol of hope, capability, and courage. His accomplishment is expected to inspire thousands of transplant survivors and change public perception about life after organ transplantation. With his ambition set on conquering more peaks, Sherpa now climbs not just for records, but for awareness, dignity, and inspiration.
