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I Had to Survive: How a Plane Crash in the Andes Inspired My Calling to Save Lives

Dr. Roberto Canessa: I Had to Survive

Monthly Featured Lecture

This month, we’re featuring the story of Dr. Roberto Canessa, a renowned pediatric cardiologist and a survivor of the notorious 1972 Uruguayan airplane crash. Dr. Canessa was one of 45 rugby players who endured extreme conditions and injury after their plane crashed in the Andes. He has made history as one of the men who walked eleven days and climbed 15,000 feet to locate help for the survivors. His journey through the Chilean snowcapped Andes Cordillera rescued 14 of his friends still trapped in the mountains, and inspired his career in saving the lives of pediatric patients.

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