My Story: In 1992 aged 33 I was diagnosed with AML (Acute Myloid Leukaemia). Over the following 2 years I, along with 2 other AML patients, underwent treatment by way of a clinical trial at The Royal South Hants Hospital in Southampton. I also received a bone marrow transplant. 2 of us eventually walked out of that hospital for the last time and thankfully I have been in remission since.
Whilst having treatment I became very friendly with a number of other "inmates". There was one chap in particular, slightly younger than me, who was on an identical treatment protocol. Sadly for Tim and his family he never came out of hospital. During one of our "right the world" debates and more lucid times we discussed a variety of things. Amongst these, a list was compiled of "Things to do before you are fifty". High on my list was to summit Everest. There were several smaller more mundane goals which I am happy and privileged to say I have been fortunate enough to achieve. There are still others which have yet to be realised.
My Aim: Leukaemia Busters is a registered charity, based at Southampton General Hospital, whose objective it is to develop new treatments for children and adults with currently incurable forms of leukaemia. The survival rates for people with the illness are rising all the time. If it wasn't for pioneering research by organisations such as Leukaemia Busters, people like me would not be given the reward of life and I wouldn't be here today. In turn, the pioneering research can only continue with charitable help and that is my aim, to raise funds.
The first stage of fundraising begins now, working towards the spring of 2012. It has already begun with a successful 17 day trek in Himalaya from Lukla to Everest Base Camp. This was an altitude acclimatisation trek and took us up to 5545mtres (18,000 feet). I was one of a team of three accompanied by a support team of Nepalese guides and porters.
My Ultimate Goal: Now the success of the Base Camp trek is behind me, I will be working towards a climb to summit Everest, starting from the northern Tibetan side pre monsoon March, April, May and early June 2012. The end result being by 2012, to have raised the sum of £250,000, for Leukaemia Busters. Future expeditions prior to the Everest Summit bid include summit attempts on Mera Peak, Mt Blanc & Cho Oyu.All of this as part of the training before the "big one"
Reality Check: Now I know my ultimate goal is somewhat ambitious. I am under no illusions that I won’t need a lot of preparing and training before I reach that stage. As my wife, Mag, likes to say “It’s all very well trekking up mountains but Everest is ‘summit’ else!!".
I am just an ordinary working guy whose sporting background is playing rugby. That’s what I’m built like, a rugby player. Not the physique that normally springs to mind when anyone thinks of a typical mountaineer!! This will be my first attempt at mountain trekking & climbing, I am not expecting it to be easy but the drive and determination is there to succeed.
To achieve my goal I have planned various stages over the coming months, to build up to the ultimate.
A regular training programme has been underway since the start of 2007, under the watchful eye and guidance from my personal trainer Gareth Nock. This training concentrates on cardiovascular and endurance. At the end of June 2007 a video diary of the training commenced and will continue as the various stages are successfully completed.
Your part in my Goal: Yes this is a trip of a lifetime for me and a personal challenge. I can think of no better way to give something back to the staff and organisation that enabled me to combat Leukaemia and realise some of the goals we set out to acheive all those years ago.
Leukaemia can affect anyone, you, your family, your friends. Mine was a huge surprise; there had been no known history of it in my family and luckily no evidence of it since.
Visit my web site, the link can be found at the bottom of this page. Please spare a few moments to visit and leave any messages of support. The site has all the information regarding the recent trip to EBC, including pictures, news, updated blogs and training videos. You can listen to interviews and read on the progress of the various stages as they occur.
Although the determination is to succeed at every phase, I am hoping for sponsorship and to raise funds for each one of the stages. Knowing that people like you are contributing will be pushing me on and making the effort well worthwhile. This first stage of the trip itself (and the 2nd phase), together with the equipment, has been funded by myself, therefore, all your generous donations will go directly to Leukaemia Busters. We will together, give others the chance of life.
Thank you for your support and generosity - Chris Williams
www.chrisgwilliams.co.uk
http://www.myspace.com/everestbasecamp2007
