I want to talk to you about my big project for my 40th year.  Yes, I'm almost 40!

A significant number of people that I know and love are getting cancer.  That's not remarkable I know, but some have died recently and so it's had me thinking.

Recently, at the wonderful hippy Unitarian Church that Jenny and I go to, a young woman called Francesca stood up and lit a candle to share a sorrow. We were aware that Francesca had been in treatment for breast cancer for a couple of years because she would occasionally light a candle of either joy or sorrow, depending on how her prognosis and treatments were going.

This candle was different. It seemed that after years of struggle, she was now telling us about the last phase of her journey, it was almost over! When she first started talking, I was I was sure that she was telling us that she had beat it, that the battle was over and that she had won. But as I listened, it became apparent that she was saying the opposite. There was nothing left to do, in about two or three weeks it will all be over. That she was happy, that she was relieved, and that she was thankful for all the support that she had been given along way.  She was smiling and she meant it. She was at peace.

I don't know why, but it was like a lightning bolt. To watch someone so young be so brave and so gracious and so positive in the face of their own death was profoundly moving.  I suppose every once in a while in your life you have an interaction with someone that impacts you deeply and inspires you to action. On that Sunday in March, in just a brief moment, it became clear that I needed to do something.

Francesca is not with us any more, she died on 8 April. To quote a friend of hers who posted on her blog, she died "peacefully and surrounded by those that love her."  She was 33.

Francesca had earlier posted "Live on, be fabulous and gorgeous and never ever let anyone tell you you can't do anything you want to do, ever. It is all there for you and I will be watching from afar, willing you on".

So this is it. You only live once and I am about to embark on a mid-life crisis, I mean turn 40. In memory of Francesca Marvell, and for all the people in my life who have been affected by cancer, I'm going to trek across the Great Wall of China!

Why? If you have known me for a while, you will know that every five years I set myself some sort of physical challenge. First there was Kilimanjaro (30), then there was the cycle ride to Paris (35 - for Breast Cancer), and this year, it's trekking the great Wall of China.

In October, I will trek approximately 65km along a stony path, twisting and winding its way along the mountains, interspersed with crumbling watchtowers.  Lots of stairs, fun! 

After some careful thought, the charity I am supporting is Marie Curie Cancer Care.  Their hospice in Hampstead is where Francesca spent her final days and it is also the charity she had requested in lieu of flowers at her funeral.  More than that, though - it's a wonderful charity that does an awful lot to support people with cancer and their families.

Nobody wants cancer. But if it arrives in your life, or in the life of someone you love, you would want to be able to give them every kind of support and that's what Marie Curie does.  I am committed to raising £3,500 for them.

Will you help me?

Anything you can sponsor would be greatly appreciated.  It's always awkward to ask friends and family for money, but I can tell you that what you give will make a tangible difference in the life of someone who is going through the most difficult thing in their life. 

I promise not to spend it on a sports car, hair plugs or skydiving. Unless those are super cheap in Beijing. 

Thank you!

Christian

PS - Here's where I'm blogging all about this experience http://china.cjmalcolm.com

---

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 the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.