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I set up the Makevek Challenge to be a constant source of support for Dr. Judson and his research into Ewing’s Sarcoma for the Sarcoma Unit Research Fund (SURF) in association with Royal Marsden Hospital, London. In climbing the Seven Summits we will be constantly and consistently raising funds and awareness to find a cure to this devastating disease. In order to meet this challenge, I have assembled a team of friends to embark upon the challenge of climbing the Seven Summits, the highest mountain peak on each of the seven continents. WHY THE SEVEN SUMMITS? OUR GOAL FOR 2001: HOW IT STARTED What was tragic about Karen’s case was that unbeknown to her she had been playing host to this lump of cancer since May of 1996. Neither her nor any of the doctors she visited knew what it was. As is so common with Ewing’s we had all thought she had simply been showing symptoms of a bruised muscle. It was not until she met with Dr. Judson did the severity of the situation become clear. The Makevek Challenge has been set up to put an end to this uncertainty. There is too little information and resources out there for the doctors to become truly able in diagnosis and treatment. In deciding to do something about this I looked to those that dealt with this disease day in and day out. The immense dedication that is embodied in Dr. Judson and his team of doctors and nurses is a quality that deserves more recognition than one could ever say. Each day they literally take on the challenge of a life time, and while about 60% of their patients are cured, 40% die too young, as Ewing’s Sarcoma mainly attacks young adult women aged in their mid-twenties to as young as low teens. Next to Dr. Judson and his team are the patients. In this case, my sister. The tenacity and determination with which she took on the cancer was incredible. Never was there a question that she would not succeed and never was there a party that she was going to miss! She not only carried herself through the physical agonies as well as the emotional roller-coaster that came with chemotherapy but she hoisted the family as well. While I would not take anything away from the immense support of my parents, I am sure they would agree when I say that to see her incredible determination to fight the disease gave us such strength that it was as if she was there for us. Now that she is through the other end of the chemo her fight against Ewing’s Sarcoma continues in different ways. When not returning to the hospital to go through various scans, ensuring that the cancer has not returned, Karen plays a huge role in campaigning to raise funds for Dr. Judson and his work with Sarcoma Unit Research Fund. As you can see, independently the Doctors and Patients have outstanding qualities: dedication and spirit. Put these two qualities together as a team, and you produce incredible feats. It is here that I had found the essence of what Makevek Challenge would embody. Dedication, Spirit and Teamwork. Over the years I have without doubt cultivated a love for the mountains, and so climbing the Seven Summits seemed a natural way to raise money in the same spirit that Karen and Dr. Judson deal with Ewing’s Sarcoma. The third element to the success of the Makevek Challenge is teamwork without which this team, our team, would not be able to reach this year’s goal of raising £50,000. For your vision, generosity and trust in what the Makevek Challenge Team is aiming to do, I am truly grateful.
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