All of us are somehow limited by the impact of the pandemic. We can't see our families, friends, travel, live our normal life (what is normal anymore?)... you name it. Did you think how this crisis affected people who even before the pandemic were fully dependent on the volunteers' support? Who is paying for their work when the charity shops are closed and there is little opportunity to fundraise? How do they stay in touch with outside world when it's not even safe to visit them? One of the reasons I decided to support the Marie Curie Charity (MCC) is that they take care of those, who couldn't live without them. I never expected that my life will be affected so much by a year of limited freedom. It breaks my heart when I think there are people, who may have lost their freedom forever. At least by taking this challenge I hope I will be able to show them my support and share with them photos and memories of the place, they wouldn't be able to see otherwise. I decided to climb a Kilimanjaro as it's one of the most iconic mountains in the world and I hope I will not only support a good cause financially but also share my experience with MCC patients afterwards.

Second reason to choose MCC is to educate my contacts about the wonderful person that Marie Curie was. She is the only person in the history who got a Nobel prize in two different scientific fields. During World War I she developed mobile radiography units to provide X-ray services to field hospitals. She didn't agree on patenting her discoveries to get the enormous financial gratification as she believed the science should serve people and it's not ethical to limit it for the financial reasons. When I am asked who are famous Polish people, her name often doesn't ring a bell. Everyone knows Einstein and Newton, would they be similar icons if they were women? How many kids when drawing a famous scientist are drawing Marie Curie (not saying about drawing a women in the first place)? Even if you won't decide to support my fundraising (though I am not asking for much :) ) tell Marie's story next to the dinner today as maybe your kids/partner/friend will meet her for the first time today.