Climbing for a Cause: How Embark Exploration Co. Helped Spark a Life-Saving Campaign

One year ago, in December 2023, Embark Exploration Co. guided a group of living kidney donors through the Three Volcano Challenge in Guatemala. These donors, part of Kidney Donor Athletes (KDA), climbed Acatenango, Atitlán, and Pacaya Volcanos to raise awareness for living kidney donation. But what began as a physically demanding trek turned into the spark for a national movement.

Atop Volcano Atitlán, as the team waited for the clouds to clear, KDA President Chris Sullivan and filmmaker Brian Tiell reflected on the profound purpose behind the climb. In the early hours before their final climb, inspiration struck. Tiell heard a phrase in his mind: “Take the next step, be the next one.” He realized that, like a trek, kidney donation requires moving from awareness to action—taking the literal and figurative next step to save a life.

Upon returning home, Sullivan and Tiell collaborated with public health specialist Abbey Collins to craft the strategic vision for the campaign. After securing funding for the first year, they officially launched “Take the Next Step, Be the Next One” on October 1, 2024, almost exactly one year after the trek.

The campaign brings real-life stories of donors and recipients to the public through engaging social media content. It starts at “Step Zero,” encouraging followers to take small steps toward understanding living kidney donation. The ultimate goal is to inspire people to take action for the100,000 people waiting for a kidney transplant in the United States. “We want to show that these are ordinary people making extraordinary choices,” said Sullivan. “It’s about human kindness, connection, and saving lives.”

Embark’s expertly led journey provided more than adventure; it created the space for inspiration to flourish. The trek’s challenges mirrored the resilience required for living kidney donation, transforming the climb into a catalyst for change.

The campaign, launched in October 2024, now inspires thousands to take their own first steps toward saving lives—a movement rooted in the transformative power of Embark’s mission-driven expeditions.

Follow the campaign at @NextStepNextOne.