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One Kidney. Fifty Summits. Countless Lives Changed.
This isn’t just a story about mountains.
It’s about what happens when ordinary people say yes to something extraordinary.
In 2017, I donated my kidney to a stranger. Years later, I joined a team of fellow donors to summit the highest peak in every U.S. state—in just 41 days.
We weren’t just climbing mountains. We were on a mission to prove that life doesn’t slow down after living kidney donation—it expands.
This book follows our record-breaking journey, the challenges we faced, the lives we touched, and the truths we uncovered along the way. It’s part outdoor adventure, part medical education, and entirely a call to action.
Inside You’ll Discover:
How one kidney donation can start a chain that saves dozens of lives.
The future of transplantation, from animal organs to stem-cell innovations.
The neuroscience of altruism and why donors often gain more than they give.
Why living kidney donors often outlive the people they save, and why their bodies thrive.
What it really takes to conquer 50 summits in 41 days (and what those challenges reveal about human resilience).
Why This Book Matters
Every year, 90,000 people wait for a kidney transplant. Most never get one.
The public believes donation is risky. That life afterward is limited. That it’s only something you do for family.
That’s not the whole story—and it’s time to change it.
What Readers Are Saying:
“Ascending America creates a first-person experience of participating in a heroic, often harrowing journey. If you want to understand what a team of people committed to truly making a difference for a noble cause can do if they join together, read this book! It will change the way you think about your own limitations and helping others.”
Wayne M. Sotile, Ph.D., Founder Sotile Center for Resilience
“This is a fast-paced, real life adventure story that keeps the reader eager to see what the next page brings. Dr. Harmody is a most rare individual – an ER medical doctor who donated his kidney to a stranger – and he has written a fascinating account about a group of disparate individuals, linked by a shared bond as living kidney donors, who take on a monumentally challenging task. Extreme conditions challenge both the bodies and the psyches to the breaking point; this story is a captivating exploration of a unique undertaking.”
– Ned Brooks, Living Kidney Donor (to a stranger), Founder of the National Kidney Donation Organization.
“I received an Advance Reader Copy from the author. I enjoyed it so much that I ordered one to send to my sister-in-law who will soon be donating a kidney. I was pleasantly surprised to find the book very readable and enjoyed ‘meeting’ each of the folks in the book. I felt like I was there as they faced the challenges. It was amazing to imagine what they were attempting to do. For anyone looking for a good read, and especially those who have any interest in understanding a bit more about kidney donation and transplant I definitely recommend this book.”
Gregory Hess, MD
“Ascending America is a powerful and deeply moving journey that blends adventure, purpose, and compassion in an unforgettable way. Matt Harmody brings to life the extraordinary story of five kidney donors who set out to climb fifty peaks across fifty states not just to break a record, but to raise awareness and celebrate the gift of life itself.
The writing is honest and heartfelt, filled with moments of courage, humor, and profound reflection. It’s more than a story of endurance, it’s a testament to human connection and the incredible things that can happen when ordinary people choose to do something extraordinary.
A truly inspiring read that uplifts, motivates, and stays with you long after the final page.”
– Kelli – Goodreads Reviewer
“Teamwork makes the dreamwork, or so they say. Having been fortunate to receive an advance copy of this author’s first — and remarkably impactful work, I was excited to grab my poles, stock up my backpack with ten essentials and join the mountaineering team. I was briskly thrown onto the side of Denali, winds blowing and cold nagging my bones. With that triumph summited, and safely back in the RV, I paused to reflect that the journey ahead — embracing all 50 peaks and a world record would be far from a walk in the park.
At a time of peace and reflection, having become shamelessly addicted to the story, I paused to contrast their journey with the tiresome plod through worsening renal failure. The smell of uremia is nauseating, the threat of toxins and electrolytes building up in the blood, potentially ending the peaceful beat of one’s heart but all with the hope of a miracle climax in a successful transplant resetting the body clock. These were the parallels in my awed brain as I became engrossed in the stories of these courageous living kidney donors.
Dr. Harmody lays out the groundwork as to whys, then treats us to an Imax style front row seat as he eloquently elaborates on the hows — along with the wows. As the team gets further into their drive/climb journey, I felt my own heart rate getting higher — along with my speed of page turning. Will time run out on them? Will their collective dream reach a tragic end or might there be some elation and meaningful time reclaimed? I now envisage both mountain climbing and kidney donation in ultra different lights. If you’re seeking selfless stories of courage, with doubt, pain and uncertainty mixed in, then either talk to someone dying of kidney failure, and/or read Ascending America and spend a couple of months with this admirable team of adventurers.
Success is most definitely in the journey, irrespective of one’s destination.”
Damian McHugh, MD
“Ascending America is an inspirational and sometimes breathtaking travelogue about a team of living kidney donors working to establish a Guinness World Record in summiting each of the highest points in the 50 US states. It is a fascinating tale about a race against time, altitude, and the influence of team members’ own resilience and camaraderie when confronted with often daunting odds. The tale is told in real time with plenty of authentic dialogue by the author, Dr. Matt Harmody (who was a ground anchor in this team but is himself a climber). He served as a capable interpreter for all of us non-climbers reading the book.
Parts of Ascending America are reminiscent of Little Miss Sunshine, describing awkward and humorous moments during mostly ground travels by RV between trailheads to the 50 points. But the more gripping parts are more like Krakauer’s Into Thin Air, dealing with life-threatening weather and geographic obstacles encountered in the quest, as well as difficult personal decisions and thorny team interactions, and injuries that made having an emergency physician (author Harmody) on the support team much more than just a wise precaution.”
Louise B. Andrew MD JD FIFEM
“A compelling blend of endurance, risk, and purpose, Ascending America combines a gripping expedition narrative with meaningful insight into kidney donation. Matt Harmody’s immersive first-person style brings authenticity to both the physical challenges and the deeper human mission behind the journey. The result is an engaging story that balances high-stakes adventure with a powerful message about resilience, generosity, and what it means to live fully after donation.”
— Carol Thompson, Readers’ Favorite
Order Your Copy Today
This isn’t just my journey—it’s a movement. Whether you’re here to learn, support, or take action, your voice matters. Sign up for updates, download the free guide, and join me in showing the world what living kidney donors are truly capable of.