A 19-year-old Chinese American pilot, Ethan Guo, is on a mission to become the youngest person to fly solo to all seven continents. Fuelled by a desire to help others battling the disease, Guo is also aiming to raise $1 million for childhood cancer research at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The cause is close to his heart, as his cousin is bravely fighting Stage-4 blood cancer.
Guo’s cousin’s diagnosis of Stage-4 blood cancer was a wake-up call. It motivated him to find a way to make a positive difference. “We came up with the idea of … how we can work on this together,’ Guo said, explaining how his desire to help his cousin inspired the flight and fundraising effort. ‘We wanted to do something to make this world a better place, and raise money for research that could help kids fighting this terrible disease.'”
Beginning in May, Guo’s journey has already taken him through seven countries, and he plans to cover 50,000 miles over 100 days with stops in 60 countries. He’s flying a modified four-seater Cessna 182, and his progress can be tracked on his website flightagainstcancer.com.
Guo’s passion for flying began at age 13, and he obtained his pilot’s license four years later. However, he had to wait until he turned 19 for insurance coverage for his ambitious endeavor.
The journey hasn’t been without its challenges. “Through my experiences — like an engine failure on the very beginning of the trip … I was forced to face the fact that I could die at any point of the trip,” Guo said. However, he is prepared with survival gear and remains determined to complete his mission. “I’ll be lying to tell you if I wasn’t scared,” Guo said. “But every day I reaffirm myself. I say ‘This is what I believe in.’ (…) So I’m going to fight on until the very end.”
Guo has also faced difficulties securing sponsorships, with only about one in 10 companies he pitched agreeing to support his mission. He hopes that as his journey progresses, he’ll attract more donations for his cause.
While Guo’s parents are worried about his safety, they’ve been supportive of his efforts. Although his ambitious undertaking may make it seem like Guo is destined for a career in aviation, he envisions his future in business or tech, proving that his record-breaking flight is just one chapter in his inspiring story.
