Helen's Clipper Round the World Yacht Race page
Helen Seeley is raising money for King's College London
Story
In a moment of madness back in 2011 I decided to apply to take part in the Clipper Round the World sailing race (www.clipperroundtheworld.com). I have never sailed before in my life and thought this would be the ultimate challenge. Scarily I passed my interview and they gave me a place.
Since 2011 I have completed a week of sailing per year to gain the skills I need to complete Leg 7 of the race - San Francisco - Panama - Jamaica - New York. Yes the route sounds fabulous but mixed in with a 4 hour on 4 hour off shift pattern, 24 hours a day whilst racing 11 other boats, I don't think this is going to be the cruise I originally thought.
Training has been tough; I found out that I suffer from pretty bad sea sickness, that it is very tricky to cook, eat and sleep often at a 45 degree angle, how toilet pipes get blocked and explode without warning and how low you can actually feel whilst out on deck in the dark in the pouring rain, but as I always tell myself this wouldn't be a challenge if it wasn't so hard!
So whilst I am pushing myself to the max I thought that it would be great to make my journey serve a higher purpose and decided that I would try and raise some money through sponsorship for the Integrated Cancer Centre at King's College London. I chose this charity as I was once a student at King's and know first hand what a leading academic and research institiute it is and I wanted to support its work in developing innovations that improve cancer care for patients since both my Nan and Dad have suffered from the disease.
The researchers at the Integrated Cancer Centre influence global cancer care and international research, producing over 500 publications annually, contributing to over 150 active trials and leading over 30 clinical trials per year.
The researchers
- recruit ~20 per cent of all new cancer patients into clinical trials every year
- operate a Leukemia and Lymphoma Research centre of excellence
- operate a leading Breakthrough Breast Cancer Unit
- operate 3 Good Manufacturing Practices facilities to support investigative clinical trials
The Intergated Cancer Centre
- is part of one of only five UK accredited Academic Health Sciences Centres
- is the only cancer centre in the UK directly affiliated with three nationally funded biomedical research centres
- benefits from one of the UK's five Centres of Excellence for surgical innovation
- has a major international global health initiative, partnering with countries such as Chile and India to address cancer issues
- hosts world renowned centres including the Cicely Saunders Centre, the world's first purpose built institute of palliative care
The aim of the Centre is to improve cancer care for patients and they do this by bringing together world-class research, teaching and clinical practice.
So what is not to support??? Please dig deep and help make my journey all the more worth while.
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