Tulsa man climbs Mount Kilimanjaro to battle Parkinson's

A Tulsa man who learned he had Parkinson Disease shortly after returning from a climbing trip to Mount Kilimanjaro vowed to return to the famous summit, but this time with a mission in mind.

Ron Minkler, 72, wanted to raise awareness and help raise money as well, doing his part to battle the incurable disease that affects roughly 16,000 Oklahomans.

Early Monday morning, Tulsa time, he summitted the world's tallest freestanding mountain, located in the heart of Africa, in the country of Tanzania.

The summit is more than 19,000 feet in elevation.

Though the climb isn't officially sponsored by the American Parkinson Disease Association, nor its Oklahoma chapter.

But Jenny Johnson, Executive Director of the APDA Information and Referral Center for Oklahoma, tells KRMG his plan is to donate any money raised to that organization.

The total journey up and down that mountain will take roughly eight days, and its not for the faint of heart.

But Minkler had a "leg up" from a family member, his stepdaughter's husband, who is a professional climber and guide.

For those wishing to support the "Climb 4 Parkinson's," you can visit this page for information on how to contribute.