Three sisters climb for a cure

STAMFORD, Conn. (WTNH) -- Three sisters in Stamford are heading to steep heights for a good cause.

Like most teenagers, the three Katz sisters keep busy with school, homework, and SATs. Unlike most teenagers they've also been training for a climb up Africa's highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro.

"They think it's cool because not a lot of kids do this and they think it's really special and they can't wait to watch me make it," said 13-year-old Victoria Katz.

While the physical challenge is impressive it's what's pushing them up the more than 19,000 feet that is most inspiring. They're making the climb to raise money for Rett Syndrome, a neurological disorder that occurs almost exclusively in girls.

"It's a struggle girls face every day and it occurs in 1 out of 10,000 girls, which is pretty common, so I feel like people should know about it," said 15-year-old Abby Katz.

Their connection is more personal, they know two girls with Rett syndrome.

"To get the struggles these girls face out into the open really exposes the troubles their families and they face everyday," explained 17-year-old Jillian Katz.

That's what's motivating them every day during their grueling, hour plus-long workouts preparing them for the mountain.

"I'm nervous, but I'm also very excited," Victoria said. "I can't wait to help these girls and make it up the mountain and accomplish this goal."

She knows just how she'll celebrate when she reaches that summit.

"I'm going to go like this (pumps arms). Jump up and down. Take a really fast picture and go back down," she said.

It will be a celebratory accomplishment in more ways than one.

"The climb will be a success if one, of course, we have fun but if we're able to raise money and awareness for Retts Syndrome and help these girls out to help find a cure in the future," said Abby.

The girls plan to leave for Africa on Wednesday and exactly one week later they plan to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro.

Click here to donate money to the girls’ climb for Rett Syndrome.

Learn more about Rett Syndrome at http:// www.rettsyndrome.org/