Open in App
  • Local
  • U.S.
  • Election
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Education
  • Real Estate
  • Newsletter
  • New York Post

    Teen venturing on record solo flight to 7 continents to raise money for childhood cancer research

    By Caitlin McCormack,

    4 hours ago

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4VJzpp_0upjEFs800

    A Chinese-American teen is endeavoring to become the youngest person ever to complete a solo flight to all seven continents in an effort to raise money for cancer research motivated by his ailing cousin.

    Ethan Guo, 19, took flight in May from Memphis, Tenn. and has since stopped in seven countries, most recently in Geneva, Switzerland on Tuesday. His next planned stop is in Heraklion, the capital of the Greek island Crete.

    Guo took up piloting when he was 13 and earned his license by the age of 17. To date, he has clocked over 700 flight hours and flown to every US state besides Alaska and Hawaii.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=383o9k_0upjEFs800
    Ethan Guo, 19, took flight in May from Memphis, Tenn. and has since stopped in seven countries, most recently in Geneva, Switzerland. AP

    He wanted to start his journey much sooner, but no insurance company wanted to take on the risk of covering a minor on a perilous voyage Guo acknowledges could very easily end his life — and almost did early on.

    Dave Portnoy reveals his colonoscopy experience to the world: ‘You gotta do it’

    “Through my experiences — like an engine failure on the very beginning of the trip … I was forced to face the fact that I could die at any point of the trip,” he said.

    Despite the dangers, Guo is fully dedicated to his cause and is taking as many precautions as he can, including stocking up on cold weather gear, desert survival kits and inflatable life rafts.

    Guo’s plan is to cover a whopping 50,000 miles in 100 days with stops in 60 countries along the way. He aims to raise $1 million for cancer research in a fight inspired by his cousin, who has Stage 4 blood cancer.

    9/11 survivors who battled life-threatening illnesses rip terrorists’ plea agreement: ‘Deal with the devil’

    He partnered with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and has currently raised a little over $20,000, which he says is a “small amount,” but he is confident more donations will come in over the course of his journey. He hopes to raise up to $1 million by the end of his trip.

    “We came up with the idea of … how we can work on this together,” Guo said, “how we can make this world a better place.”

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=11IUpu_0upjEFs800
    He’s hoping to raise $1 million for childhood cancer research, in a fight inspired by his cousin who has Stage 4 blood cancer. Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK
    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2J6yUY_0upjEFs800
    Guo admitted he was “scared” some but he reaffirms himself everyday. Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK

    CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR MORNING REPORT NEWSLETTER

    In order to make his idea feasible, Guo needed support — not just financially for his charity endeavor, but also for the flight itself. He pitched company after company, but said that only about one in 10 actually became sponsors, whose logos adorn his modified four-seater Cessna 182.

    Given the formidable task he is undertaking, most would figure Guo planned to devote his life to the skies. But his dreams are actually a bit closer to terra firma, as he hopes to pursue business or tech. He only took up piloting in the first place to challenge himself, he said.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2cYds8_0upjEFs800
    Despite the dangers, Guo is fully dedicated to his cause. Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK
    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3Nv4hC_0upjEFs800
    Guo’s plan is to cover a whopping 50,000 miles in 100 days with stops in 60 countries along the way. AP

    His future plans come as a relief to his parents, who actively tried to stall his trip around the world by having him take the lead in recruiting sponsors and other supporters. Like any parents they’re worried about his trip — a sentiment Guo confessed he shares himself.

    “I’ll be lying to tell you if I wasn’t scared,” Guo said. “But every day I reaffirm myself. I say ‘This is what I believe in.’ … So I’m going to fight on until the very end.”

    For top headlines, breaking news and more, visit nypost.com.

    Expand All
    Comments / 0
    Add a Comment
    YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
    Most Popular newsMost Popular

    Comments / 0