Carel and Caroline will be climbing Mt Kilimanjaro from 6 to 11 March 2014 as a fund raising event for the Cancer Vaccine Institute (CVI). 

You may know that our son’s fiancée, Lucy, was diagnosed with a malignant melanoma in 2006.  Whilst definitely scared of the potential consequences Lucy never once asked “why me?” and bore numerous operations and treatments with an incredible repose.  In 2010 she participated in experimental trials of the vaccines M Vaccae and Immodulon under the watchful eye of Professor Dalgleish of the CVI.  When her health deteriorated she started a course of chemotherapy and this in conjunction with the vaccine had a remarkable effect.  After four months she was back at work, attending weddings and parties and living a normal life.  Unfortunately this did not last and Lucy died in December 2011 aged 28. 

We are firmly of the belief that there is much more that these vaccines can give and hope that Lucy's positive reaction (which the Professor described as remarkable) is the tip of a medical iceberg.  Cancer, of all types, is an incredibly cruel disease that destroys dreams one by one.  It is imperative that Professor Dalgleish's research continues. 

Mt Kilimanjaro is the highest moutain in Tanzania, the highest mountain in Africa, and the highest free-standing mountain in the world at 5,895 metres, or 19,341 feet, above sea level.  Many climbers do not reach the summit due to their rapid ascent resulting in acute mountain sickness but we will be taking 5 days to reach the top and one to get down!

You can read about the CVI and, in particular, other fund raising activities in memory of Lucy at http://www.lstf.co.uk/