On 2^nd January 2010, while the rest of us are still nursing sore heads and the last of the mince pies, Alex and Caroline will be heading off to Tanzania to climb the fourth largest mountain in the world.  Those of you who know Alex will not be surprised by this feat of athletic determination, those who know Caroline could be forgiven for thinking they are on the wrong Just Giving page!  Apparently someone told her there was an All Bar One at the summit, and unfortunately it’s now too late to cancel.

Over the course of a week, the girls will embark on the 5,892m trek to the top of the highest peak in Africa, tackling blisters, altitude and probably a no small amount of moaning on the way!  They are taking on this challenge to raise money for pancreatic cancer, the eleventh most common cancer in the UK but one with one of lowest survival rates. 

Every day, 21 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the UK and it causes almost 8,000 deaths per year.  The five year survival rate is just 3%, exactly the same percentage as forty years ago.  Compare that to some other well know cancers which have seen survival rates double to almost 80% over the last forty years and it clearly highlights the need for increased research into this silent disease. 

Alex and Caroline have personal experience of pancreatic cancer following the death of their uncle Tom in September 2008. The disease has also recently received attention following the untimely death of actor Patrick Swayze.  Pancreatic cancer tends to produce only minor or vague symptoms until it is well advanced. There is no early detection test and the pancreas is not easily accessible, so the disease is hard to detect and treat.

Please support Alex and Caroline on their big adventure by donating to this important cause.  Every little helps, and if nothing else, it’s worth it to see Caroline – sans red wine – in hiking boots half way up a mountain!  Good luck Alex ;-)