At 19,340 feet, Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and the largest freestanding mountain in the world. Farmingdale native Theresa Molloy, along with her brother-in-law Chris Marro, is going to climb it for a cause.

Starting on Oct. 16 they will follow the Machame Route up 13,000 feet and four seasons. Beginning in a cloud forest at 6,400 feet they will climb through alpine scenery and towering glaciers, finally reaching Uhuru Peak on Oct. 22, what they refer to as their Summit Day.

An outdoor sports enthusiast, Molloy said she became more interested after reading a few books on Mount Kilimanjaro.

"Outdoor sports are my passion," Molloy said. "My weekends are spent running and cycling. Knowing I had to be in top condition to be successful, I started hiking every weekend. Hiking is something I did on occasion. I decided that I was up to the challenge."

Her heightened interest and challenge that lies ahead are just small reasons for the impending climb. They are also raising money for the ambulatory treatment center within the division of oncology and stem cell transplantation at Schneider Children's Hospital. They hope the expanded and enhanced facility will provide young patients with a more private space to receive their treatments. Treatments that Molloy and Marro's nephew, Joseph Marro, 13, is currently going through for an auto immune disease.

"The inspiration for this trip is derived from my nephew Joseph and the children I encountered at Schneider Children's Hospital, where many face much larger challenges and conquer their own mountains every day," Molloy said. "Our goal is to provide them with a comforting environment where they receive their life saving treatments."

They hope to reach this objective by meeting their monetary goal of $50,000. In fact, they have already raised over $21,000 through the family's charity foundation, Reach for the Stars. Reach for the Stars was founded in honor of Patricia Marro, Chris' mother and Joseph's grandmother. Patricia lost her battle against lung cancer in February. Molloy's father Donald Molloy of Farmingdale views this crusade as a wonderful thing his family is doing.

"It is going well and I believe the goal is going to be met," the elder Molloy said.

Molloy and her family moved to Farmingdale in 1970. She and her five siblings all attended Farmingdale schools. Two of her brothers Donald and Timothy still live in Farmingdale, as do her parents, Donald and Dolores. Currently Molloy works for the New York Stock Exchange and resides in New York City.

For more information or to make a donation visit www.reachforthestarz.net.

Mount Kilimanjaro rises majestically from a rolling plain close to the Indian Ocean from hot savanna to a barren and frigid 3-1/2 mile high peak. Climbing Kilimanjaro is a must-do challenge for almost every trekker and mountaineer in the world.

Kilimanjaro stands a scant 205 miles south of the equator, on the northern boundary of Tanzania. Its location on an open plain close to the Indian Ocean, and its great size and height strongly influence the climate, vegetation, animal life and the climbing conditions. It is made up of three extinct volcanoes: Kibo 19,340 feet (5,895 meters), Mawenzi 16,896 feet (5,149 meters); and Shira 13,000 feet (3,962 meters).