This June, as I approach my fiftieth birthday, I will lead a small all-male crew sailing across the Atlantic Ocean, in aid of Breakthrough Breast Cancer.  None of us on the boat has ever undertaken this significant challenge, pitting us against the notoriously fickle and frequently fierce environment of the North Atlantic.

In a 47-foot, sloop-rigged Beneteau, we are planning to sail the distance of just under 3,000 miles in approximately 21 days.  But weather will play a major part in our voyage, and we could be at sea for considerably longer.  We are preparing for all eventualities, from ice and gales to fear and tears.  At the back of all our minds is the fact that this ocean is dangerous, not all who venture on it reach their destinations—and all are changed by the experience.

But at the front of our minds is why we are doing this.  Breast cancer seems to be everywhere in the 21st century, and the fear it wields has probably touched most of us in some way.  While medical strides are being made everyday, ultimately, we all want breast cancer eliminated from our lives.  That’s where Breakthrough’s Generations Study comes in.  Recently-launched, this vital piece of research aims to discover the causes of breast cancer and so prevent it from occurring in future generations.  Its first step is to recruit 100,000 women from all walks of life to monitor their lifestyle factors over the next 50 years.

Sadly, most of us know someone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer, and many of us are accustomed to hearing of somebody crossing the Atlantic Ocean—it would be easy to think of both as “commonplace”—but both these life-changing events are far from ordinary.  Both are journeys--challenges charged with emotion, fear and exhaustion, where you live each day as it comes, never knowing what it will bring, relying on your inner strength, hope and determination and the support of those around you, to get you through. 

Although I sailed a lot throughout my childhood and into my twenties, I was a “coastal” sailor, and I have done far less of even that in recent years.  Thus, this transatlantic crossing is a serious challenge for me.  If I am honest, I have more than a little concern about what's ahead.  But it is very important to me that I undertake this challenge, succeed at it and, in doing so, do as much as I can to help Breakthrough. Far too many of my family and close friends, many of whom I consider family, have battled and are battling this dreadful disease.

Raising a significant sum of money in these days of understandable fundraising fatigue is also a challenge.  But I invite you to join me on the crucial voyage to help Breakthrough eradicate breast cancer by supporting this challenge in whatever way you can.   Please take some time to consider what we are doing and pledge a donation towards our £250,000 target.  I am personally meeting all the costs of this challenge, so all donations and sponsorship funding will go to Breakthrough.  Your contribution will enable Breakthrough to take a giant leap towards a future free from the fear of breast cancer.  With your support, we really can “make waves” and contribute to the “breakthrough”.

Amelia C Fawcett CBE


P.S. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Breakthrough Breast Cancer will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor us now!

Many thanks for your support.