The Woodman Ascent
In March of last year, John was looking forward to an active and adventurous retirement, dreaming of sailing the high seas with his wife, Jenny, and catching up with family and friends along the way. But those plans were abruptly derailed when a sudden seizure led to the diagnosis of Stage 4 Glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer with a grim prognosis. For someone who had been planning ocean routes and island getaways, John now faced a daily reality of surgeries, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and countless tests and scans.
But John’s indomitable spirit didn’t falter. Instead of letting the diagnosis define his life, he decided to take on a challenge that seemed impossible: skiing the equivalent of the height of Mount Everest – 8848m – across the Alps in just four days.
Naturally, he didn’t do it alone. Eleven of his friends joined him, motivated not just by thier admiration for his incredible determination but also by the hope that new treatments for brain cancer are on the horizon. The Brain Tumour Charity, which is playing a pivotal role in both supporting those affected by brain cancer and funding crucial research, has shown promising results in several global studies. But there’s still a long way to go, and funding is critical to bring these advancements to fruition.
Looking back, it’s incredible to think about what they’ve accomplished together. And now, more than ever, it’s clear how important it is to continue supporting the cause. Glioblastoma affects more than 4,500 people in the UK each year, and it could impact any of us, just as it has for John. This journey, this challenge, and this fight aren’t over, and we’re still pushing forward – with your support, the fight against brain cancer will continue.
So far the team have raised nearly £300,000 for the Brain Tumour Charity. You can donate via their Just Giving Page.
