On 20^th February 2015 I will make the journey to Tanzania to realise one of the greatest challenges of my life. I will be making the ascent to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro! Achieving this formidable goal presents 19,336ft of mountain, 37 miles of landscape including rain-forest, desert like terrain and snow in addition to temperatures ranging from the mid 20s to -20oC. I will be completing this challenge in aid of Cancer Research.

My first real experience of cancer was at the age of 12 when my Nana passed away from what began as cancer of the kidney.  I did not realise the full extent of the disease then. Following that I heard about other people’s battles, but no one directly linked to me. Cancer was something that happened to other people. Then last year my close friend, Lisa, lost her Mum suddenly from complications relating to lung cancer. Less than a month later my Dad was diagnosed with cancer, having a malignant mass on his left lung. It took approximately two months and my Dads stubbornness during one visit to the hospital for the Doctors to diagnose his cancer as a rare type of Sarcoma.  The next seven months provided much uncertainty, frustration and anguish, such as being told Dad had three months to live one day and then the next being told he could have treatment and there was hope. Dad passed away at home on 31st January 2014 at the age of 61.

Since my Dads diagnosis I have learnt of many people’s experiences with cancer, too many to make reference to here. The majority of people reading this will have either battled cancer themselves, seen a loved one go through it or in the least know someone who has had cancer. Seeing my Dad go through chemotherapy and later deteriorate and pass away was and remains devastating and something I will never forget.  Seeing my family and friends deal with, not only their loss but the knowledge of what someone they love has endured, is heartbreaking.  By setting myself this challenge I feel like I have somewhere to focus my grief, but it isn't about me.  This challenge is about supporting progress in the prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of cancer, as well as the care of those dealing with this illness. 

So in the memory of my Dad, Bob Nicholson and Lisa's Mum, Marlene Halstead, let the challenge begin . . .