A Father-Son Adventure Supporting Switzerland Cancer Support
A Promise Kept, A Mountain Awaits
Some journeys begin with a dream. Ours began with a promise one made between a father and son after years of anticipation, postponement, and ultimately, a life-changing battle that made every step forward more meaningful.
In 2021, my son Kane and I dreamed up an adventure to mark his completion of his school years. We planned to climb Mount Kilimanjaro together, but like so many plans during those uncertain times, COVID-19 had other ideas. We pivoted, exploring the stunning landscapes of Namibia instead, but the mountain remained in our hearts—waiting.
Then came 2023, and with it, a diagnosis that changed everything: prostate cancer. Through surgery and treatment, supported by the incredible team at Switzerland Cancer Support, I fought my way back to health. Today, I’m cancer-free. But more than that, I’m determined—determined to honour that promise to Kane, and to turn our climb into something bigger than ourselves..
Why We Climb
Next week, we depart Geneva for Tanzania, where we’ll spend eight days ascending Africa’s highest peak—all 5,895 meters of Mount Kilimanjaro. The moment we’ve trained for, dreamed of, and worked toward is finally here. But this climb isn’t just about reaching a summit. It’s about:
- Keeping promises to those we love, no matter what obstacles stand in our way
- Raising awareness for men’s health testing—because early detection saves lives
- Celebrating survival and the gift of being here, healthy and strong
- Inspiring others to prioritize their health and never give up on their dreams
Through this climb, I aim to raise both awareness and funds for Cancer Support Switzerland, the organisation that supported me during my cancer journey. Every step toward the summit will be in gratitude for their work and for everyone whose life they’ve touched.
The Training Behind the Dream
For months, while Kane has been training in the mountains surrounding Geneva, I’ve been putting in the work from Valencia, Spain. Our training regimens have mirrored each other across the distance daily exercise, stretching, muscle strengthening, weekend mountain hikes, swimming sessions, and meditation. There have been countless stair sessions with weighted backpacks that left our legs burning but our spirits soaring.
We’ve been separated by geography but united by purpose. Every sunrise run, every extra rep, every mental visualization of that summit—it’s all led to this moment. Now, as we pack our bags and prepare for departure, the reality is setting in: we’re actually doing this.
The Lemosho Route: A Journey Through Worlds
We’ve chosen the eight-day Lemosho Route with Epic Kilimanjaro Climb Adventure, a path known for its beauty, manageable pace, and higher success rate due to better acclimatization time. Starting October 16, over eight days we’ll travel through landscapes that seem pulled from different planets:
The Rainforest greets us first lush, alive with birdsong, where blue and colobus monkeys swing through the canopy above our heads.
The Moorlands open up next, with heather shrubs and volcanic boulders set against cloud formations that make you feel like you’re walking through the sky itself.
The Alpine Desert strips everything away—dry, rocky, windswept. Here, at over 4,000 meters, the world feels remote and otherworldly.
The Arctic Zone awaits at the top—from 5,000 meters to Uhuru Peak, an icy realm of glaciers and snow where the air is thin and every breath is a victory.
More Than a Mountain
This climb is personal, but its message is universal. Too many men avoid health screenings, ignore symptoms, or simply don’t make their wellbeing a priority. I could have been one of those statistics. Instead, I caught my cancer early, fought it, and won.
Now Kane and I are climbing for every man who needs to hear this message: Make your health a priority. Get tested. Don’t wait.
On October 25, we’ll begin our summit push—that pre-dawn climb starting around midnight on Day 7. We’ll climb through the darkness toward Stella Point, where we’ll watch the sun rise over Mawenzi Peak. And then, finally, we’ll stand at Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa.
When we reach that summit, we won’t be standing there alone. We’ll be carrying with us the hopes of everyone who’s ever faced a health battle, everyone who’s kept a promise despite the odds, and everyone who believes that our health is worth fighting for.
Join Our Journey
Follow along as we document this incredible journey. Share your own stories of resilience. Talk to the men in your life about health screenings.
This month, we’re not just climbing a mountain. We’re raising a flag for hope, health, and the unbreakable bond between a father and son.
The bags are packed. The training is done. The mountain is waiting.
Let’s make our health a priority—together.
