Ben and I are trading Friday night pints for weekend hikes, all in preparation for what will undoubtedly be the most rewarding beer of our lives. This September, we’re traveling 4,000 miles to ascend the summit of Kilimanjaro with the incredible Prevent Breast Cancer team!

Since 2013, cancer has, unfortunately, been a regular topic in our house—the year our mum was first diagnosed with breast cancer. After a few sleepless nights and her famously declaring that she ‘doesn’t have time for this nonsense,’ we all had to accept that life was about to change. Through countless rounds of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, and what felt like a year of surviving on Dad’s fish fingers and potato smiley faces, Mum finally got the all-clear. Cancer-free and back to dinners with a bit of variety, we put it all behind us.

But in 2016, after a routine scan, the news hit us again. This time, cancer had spread to two new places - secondary cancer, when cells decide to pack their bags and settle somewhere else in the body. Despite this, Mum powered through, refusing to stop working in the city. For her, work became the one area of consistency she clung to during an otherwise chaotic time.

Let’s be honest, the decision to trek up Kilimanjaro was probably made after one (or many) post-work pints when “climbing a mountain” sounded like a totally reasonable idea. But here we are, flights booked, and no turning back now.

In 2019, Mum attended a presentation from Prevent Breast Cancer about their revolutionary approach to risk assessment and risk-adapted screening. With 40 years of experience in an industry focused on preventing risk, it made perfect sense to her. “Whilst I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the great work done in treating cancer, for future generations, preventing it through risk-based screening has got to be the right direction to head.”

Now you know why we're taking on this challenge with PBC, and how much it means to us that they continue raising awareness and funds for the UK's only breast cancer prevention centre. They’re right at the cutting edge of making sure fewer families must face the word "cancer" as often as ours has.

Fast forward to 2024, Mum still receives tri-weekly treatment to maintain her health, and she's now Prevent Breast Cancer's first London-based corporate ambassador! And as our wonder-woman would say, “out of something bad, something good can happen.”

Soooo, whilst we climb a mountain, we’re asking you to help support us and fundraise for PBC. Who unlike many cancer charities, rather than finding a cure, are entirely dedicated to preventing future generations from ever being diagnosed.

Next question, what beer is worthy of a 6 day trek, cracked open at 5,895metres?

Love Ben and Ellie x