Cristina was a kid when she tried to donate her kidney to her parents to save their lives (her dad was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma, her mom became ill several years later and was on dialysis for months). She was told no because of her young age. She remained committed to saving a life through organ donation, knowing that the opportunity would present itself…someday. That day came a few years ago when she was matched with a stranger.

This badass woman is proving that donating an organ doesn't limit anyone's abilities. Last year she trained and hiked the summit of Africa's highest peak - Mount Kilimanjaro - to bring attention to living kidney donation. She did it to prove that she could and to prove that people can resume not only normal lives, but extraordinary lives post organ donation.

Cristina Fontana is not only an advocate, she's a radiation therapist, oncology nurse, and a yogi, to boot.