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Peru Hiking Challenge for Macmillan Cancer Suport

Between 3 and 12 May 2008, I will be joining around 60 people trekking The Inca Trail as part of Macmillan's Peru Hiking Challenge. The 10 day trek will take us through cloud forest to a 4200m Andean peak, along high mountain passes to Machu Picchu, Peru's famous lost city of the Incas. It promises to be an extremely testing physical challenge as we will be trekking and camping in remote and dramatic conditions. The event, and the months of preparation, will be tough but I am doing this to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support (registered charity no 261017).

Each day 739 people in the UK are told they have cancer. More than one million people in the UK today have had a cancer diagnosis, and more than one in three will be diagnosed at some time in their life. As well as taking action today to support people from the moment they suspect they have cancer, Macmillan are shaping the future of cancer care. Their increasing range of services, including Macmillan nurses, doctors and other health and social care professionals, cancer care centres, a range of cancer information and practical help at home, is funded entirely through the generosity of their supporters. Thanks to the support they receive, Macmillan provides the practical and emotional support which makes a real difference to people living with cancer .

I worked for almost 30 years in cancer research in the department of Medical Oncology at the Charing Cross Hospital. The department treats people with a wide variety of cancers but has an international reputation for the treatment and cure of two particular types of cancer, gestational trophoblastic tumours, which occur as a result of pregnancy and germ cell tumours which mainly occur in young men, the majority arising in the testes. Thanks to the pioneering work of Professor Kenneth Bagshawe and Professor Edward Newlands, these cancers, once rapidly fatal, are now almost always curable. Kenneth Bagshawe established the oncology department in the early 60's at the old Fulham Hospital. Ed Newlands worked with him as a consultant oncologist from the mid 70's and was my boss for most of that time. Sadly, Ed died suddenly and unexpectedly last year. During his working life, Ed cured or extended the lives of thousands of people with cancer. Many of his patients benefited from the specialist care of Macmillan nurses. It is partly in Ed's memory that I am undertaking this challenge.

I have to raise a minimum of  £3200 to take part in the event, of which at least 66% will benefit Macmillan Cancer Support. I hope to raise more than this and hope that you will consider sponsoring me in the challenge, which I am aware is a very minor one compared with the challenge that cancer patients face every day

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Macmillan Cancer Support will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support.

Lydia