On the 14 March 2013 I’ll be embarking on an 18 day trek to Everest base camp to raise money on behalf of Cancer Research UK who are fighting for a world where no one’s life is cut short by cancer. The money raised will go towards important research which will reduce the impact Cancer has on lives of future generations. Everyone thinks it won’t happen to them or someone they know, but more than 1 in 3 people in the UK will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime, with someone being diagnosed every two minutes.

 

The Cause

I’ll be taking on a challenge which although will be tough and testing for all involved, it will be nothing compared to what the millions of Cancer patients face every day of their lives. For me this trek is about raising money, awareness and playing a small part in making a difference to millions of lives. Michael Chehade and I have tagged this as ‘Everest Little Helps’, an adaptation of the household Tesco phrase ‘Every Little Helps’, the harsh reality is that the target of £10k alone won’t find the cure for Cancer. It’ll barely touch the surface, but it will help them fund over half of the UK’s cancer research, including the life-saving work of over 4000 scientists, doctors and nurses fighting cancer on all fronts and making cutting edge discoveries each day. Everest is a small challenge compared to the one which millions of families face every day but the fundraising will help in the grand scheme of things.

 

On the 9th March 2012 my Mum lost her 4 year battle with Cancer. Throughout her life and especially during her battle with Cancer Mum was an inspiration to all those who knew her, as a wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, colleague and friend. She remained positive to the very end, not once giving up the fight against her illness, always more concerned for others than for herself. Aside from her family, which meant the world to her, she touched the lives of many other families through her work where she strived for the wellbeing of children and families who were less fortunate than others. Sadly this is a story which too many people can relate to and one which affects more people each day. By donating you’ll be helping Cancer Research UK reach their and ambition of bringing forward the day when all cancers are cured. This is a long-term vision. It won’t be achieved today or in our lifetime. But one day, it will happen.

 

The Challenge

During our trek we will battle against extreme conditions aside from the hazardous rocky terrain and constant below-freezing temperature. Initially we will be flying from Kathmandu to the hilly town of Lukla, which has been described as the most dangerous commercial flight path in the world. Altitude is the most prevalent danger, and it has an impact on just about every aspect of the trek, including appetite, sleep patterns, energy levels and so on. Altitude is one of those odd things that cannot be prepared for despite best efforts in training. Another issue that trekkers have to overcome is the dreaded "Khumbu Cough", which is an irritation of the lungs caused by the cold dry air and dust from the Khumbu Valley.

 

The Charity

Cancer Research UK is the world's leading charity dedicated to beating cancer through research. They are fighting cancer on all fronts, finding new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat it to save more lives. They are entirely funded by the public. With your help, we can ensure more people beat cancer. To find out more about Cancer Research UK check out their website http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/home/

 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to Cancer Research UK and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.