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11-year-old to make once in lifetime climb for his life

Charlie Ramquist, 11, is climbing Africa's highest mountain this summer to raise funds and awareness for his rare disease.

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RALEIGH, N.C. — Charlie Ramquist is little boy battling a major disease, but he's about to make a huge climb.

A once in a lifetime climb.

Charlie, 11, has eosinophilic esophagitis, a condition that makes it almost impossible for him to eat normal foods.

A condition with no cure.

He has never had cake and ice cream for his birthday, nor any Halloween treats.

He can only eat nine foods: quinoa, tomatoes, honey, chicken, turkey, cucumbers, potatoes, sweet potatoes and carrots.

He also depends on a special nutritional beverage.

So what does Charlie do? He decides to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.

Charlie and his dad will climb Africa’s highest mountain this summer to bring awareness to the disease and raise money for research. He talked about the trip to his classmates at Ravenscroft School on Thursday.

Their journey is not only for hope, but to also bring a father and son closer together.

“I’m working a lot in Africa, but when I'm home I'm making sure that we exercise together, go hiking together, and just spending time together preparing for this journey,” said his father, Neil.

Charlie will be among 30 climbers making the trip, including five from North Carolina.

“I think it will be fun to meet other people with the disease and just be friends,” he said.

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