Support Project Spandana: South Pole Expedition

Update: Hi All - Thank you so much for your generous contribution to Project Spandana. Your support has been invaluable, and I’m deeply grateful for your belief in the project.

I’m excited to share that today, I’m heading to Antarctica from Punta Arenas for my expedition. It’s been an incredible journey so far, and your encouragement has played a huge role in making this possible.

Thank you once again for being a part of this journey. I’ll be sure to keep you updated, and I look forward to reconnecting soon.

You can follow my journey on:

www.thepolarmind.com

IG: _satishgogineni

Sponsor Project Spandana: 

Satish Gogineni’s historic solo ski to the South Pole building awareness of mental health and suicide prevention in India. He is the first Indian to qualify to undertake this expedition in Antarctica.

What is Project Spandana:

In January 2025, Satish will make history as the first Indian to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole. After a year of rigorous training, he is prepared to undertake this challenging journey, spanning 1134 km from the edge of Ronne Ice Shelf (Hercules Inlet) to the South Pole. The expedition will last approx. 50 days, traversing 9300 ft of altitude in extreme polar conditions, dragging a 250 lb sled with all his supplies.

The inspiration behind this expedition stems from a deeply personal place, as it is named in honor of Satish’s late cousin, Spandana, who tragically lost her life to suicide after enduring prolonged domestic difficulties and mental health challenges. Satish himself experienced a profound mental health crisis following the passing of his mother but found solace and recovery through therapy, guiding him towards a positive trajectory.

Through Project Spandana, Satish aims to advocate for the benefits of therapy and foster the belief that every individual deserves a fulfilling life, regardless of past struggles. According to WHO, India faces a significant mental health burden, with 2,443 Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) per 100,000 population and an age[1]adjusted suicide rate of 21 per 100,000 population. Satish’s expedition seeks to raise awareness of mental health and suicide prevention within the Indian community by collaborating with relevant organizations and promoting their work throughout his journey.

About Satish Gogineni:

Satish Gogineni is a Financial Risk Manager at Bank of America and currently resides in San Francisco, California. He is originally from Hyderabad, Telangana. An avid landscape photographer, Satish combines his passion for the outdoors with a remarkable career in endurance sports.

Satish ran his first marathon in 2007 and began mountaineering in 2014. With a solid foundation in endurance sports, including 14 full marathons (four World Majors), and advanced training in technical climbing, Satish has tackled some of the world’s tallest peaks.

Some of his notable achievements include climbing Mt. Everest and Mt. Lhotse in under 20 hours, setting a speed record for India; summiting Annapurna, the world’s deadliest mountain; climbing Dhaulagiri in under 72 hours; and most recently, crossing 600 km of Greenland’s ice sheet, becoming the first Indian civilian to do so unsupported.

What you can do to help:

Help bring attention to mental health awareness for the Indian community by supporting project Spandana with a financial donation. The estimated cost of the project is approximately $120k. Sponsors are encouraged to contribute any amount they can, as all donations are welcome and valued.

Additionally, we are seeking to establish a strategic partnership with an organization that shares our commitment to promoting mental health and suicide prevention therapy in India.

Our mission is to break the stigma surrounding mental health, encourage open dialogue, and provide accessible resources to those in need. Your support for this expedition will not only aid Satish in reaching this significant milestone but also serve as an inspiration for numerous individuals in the Indian community to pursue their aspirations and make groundbreaking strides in their respective fields. The expedition will act as a compelling platform to promote the values of adventure and resilience, demonstrate India’s capabilities on a global scale, and underscore the critical importance of mental health and perseverance.

When you join our GoFundMe community, you're helping to make this history-making expedition happen. Thank you for taking the time to read through this. We appreciate your support in all forms!

Team Project Spandana