My challenge

Fundraising challenges are a bit limited amidst the current lockdown but that’s not going to stop me raising money for a really important cause close to my heart. 

My challenge is to climb the height of Machu Picchu on my staircase! I will be doing this over 2 weeks. By Sunday 17 April I will aim to have climbed 2,340m. That means a grand total of 1, 638 flights of stairs! Please keep me motivated by donating! 

My story 

Earlier this year, my family received the heart breaking news that my mum has been diagnosed with melanoma. At the same time, one of my best friends received the same news about her dad. This fundraising effort is for both of our wonderful parents and, whilst doing my challenge, I’ll be wishing them both the best treatment and recovery. 

My mum is currently receiving pioneering immunotherapy treatment that was only introduced into the NHS a few years ago. Immunotherapy uses drugs to coax the immune system into attacking cancerous cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed and is a real breakthrough in the fight against cancer. 

My charity 

There’s still more work to be done to make immunotherapy as effective as possible as well as researching and developing new drugs. I have therefore chosen to fundraise for the Melanoma Research Fund, which is a specialist fund within The Christie Charity.

The Melanoma Research Fund has supported many of the recent breakthroughs in the treatment of melanoma, including Ipilimumab which my mum is currently receiving. This drug is the first new treatment for 30 years in the UK that is extending life expectancy in patients with advanced melanoma. The fund continues to support major progress in the treatment of melanoma, developing new drug treatments that are meaning more patients are likely to live longer. 

Please do help me support this great charity...and wish me luck!

Sophie.