
Andrew's Story
Andrew, born with Cystic Fibrosis, overcame immense challenges and now trains to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, raising awareness for men's mental health.
Andrew, born with Cystic Fibrosis, overcame immense challenges and now trains to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, raising awareness for men's mental health.
"Knowing that I could make it through such an impossibly challenging situation has reinvigorated me to keep living life to the fullest."
About Andrew:
I was born with Cystic Fibrosis (diagnosed at three months old) and have faced numerous challenges physically and mentally throughout my life.
In 1979, when I was born, the average lifespan for a CF patient was just 17 years. My parents never kept details of my condition from me, so I grew up fully aware of my own potential early mortality. This knowledge, along with the constant need for medical interventions and hospitalizations, placed a great deal of mental and physical stress on me, but also encouraged me to seize opportunities and try to make the most of life.
I’m now training with a small group of friends to climb Mount Kilimanjaro on May 27, 2025, in order to raise money to support HeadsUpGuys.
When I was 37, I received a double lung transplant to address life threatening lung disease, and shortly afterwards I was in a motorcycle accident that resulted in further surgeries to my hip, leg, ankle, wrist and shoulder. This period broke me both mentally and physically, and made me feel like I needed to retreat into my mind.
Even through this experience, though, I feel that life is beautiful and precious, and there is still so much to enjoy. Knowing that I could make it through such an impossibly challenging situation has reinvigorated me to keep living life to the fullest.
– Andrew Brownell, Armstrong B.C., Canada
Join Andrew Brownell and his community on an epic climb to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro to raise awareness and funds for HeadsUpGuys, supporting men’s mental health, one step at a time. Together, we can help men conquer their own challenges, just as Andrew will conquer Africa’s highest peak.
Join us in uncovering how men's mental health and romantic relationships intersect. Share your experience to help create better mental health support for men everywhere.
As a thank-you, you’ll be entered to win one of four $100 prepaid Mastercards!