Hope Raising Expedition II

07.15.2026

In August and September 2024, Jakob Kepka, a Canadian citizen, former U.S. Marine, and above-knee amputee, successfully completed the inaugural Hope Raising Expedition by cycling over 1,200 kilometers from Kraków to Kyiv. This highly successful four-week trek raised critical awareness for the prosthetic needs of Ukrainian veterans, bringing Jakob to 16 cities to meet with patients at clinics and prosthetic facilities, and earning him recognition from Amplitude magazine as one of the “Five Amputees Who Made a Difference in 2024.” Shortly after returning to Canada, Jakob faced a personal battle when he was diagnosed with cancer. Following months of intense treatment and rehabilitation, he is now in full remission and training rigorously, cycling 90 to 120 kilometers a day, six days a week, to carry his mission forward.

On August 24th, Ukrainian Independence Day, Jakob will launch Hope Raising Expedition II from Lviv. This grueling six-week, 2,000-kilometer journey will conclude in Kyiv, following a demanding route through Ivano-Frankivsk, Vinnytsia, Odesa, Mykolaiv, Kryvyi Rih, Dnipro, Kremenchuk, Cherkasy, and Bucha. This second expedition presents significantly higher security risks, harsher road conditions, and more challenging topography than the first. Yet, despite these obstacles and the fact that he will turn 69 during the trek, Jakob remains deeply compelled to face these risks to provide vital support and hope to Ukraine’s wounded veterans.

Please consider making a donation today to help fund Jakob’s historic journey and support vital prosthetic care for wounded veterans in Ukraine.