"Follow me on my journey as I tackle each stage of the challenge to my 'Ultimate Goal' of attempting to summit the highest peak on Earth for charity."

                                                         

"My name is Chris Williams and live with my wife, Mag and German Shepherd Morgan, in a small village just outside Reading in the Royal county of Berkshire. In 1993, following weeks of feeling unwell and constantly tired, I was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia.

Within 2 hours of having a blood test at my then GP's I was on my way to Southampton General Hospital for a biopsy which confirmed the initial findings. This came as a total shock and my first questions were how and why it had happened. I was a fairly fit individual who had been playing sport on a regular basis, in particular quite a high standard of Rugby Union for then top class rugby clubs such as Rugby Lions, Coventry and Leicester. After the initial weekend of tests I was sent home to pack my bags for a return back to hospital and to commence a protracted course of chemotherapy.

Upon admission to the The Royal South Hants Hospital in  Southampton, I was amazed how many other "inmates" were  there and how relaxed and cheerful everything was. Although it was a general oncology ward I found it comforting  to  realise  that I was not the only one who had contracted the illness. Over the course of the next 18 months I underwent  4 courses of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. I remember feeling such joy after having spent a number of weeks at a time in hospital, being told I could go home for a day or even 2 between courses of treatment. The feelings soon turned to frustration when  I was told at the eleventh hour I couldn't leave because of an infection and had to undergo courses of intravenous antibiotics.

There were 3 of us on the same clinical trial, so again it was comforting and inspiring to see how we all coped with the treatment. During the treatment time I must have undergone the full range of emotions from anger to appreciation. During the low times, of which there were inevitably some, it gave me a chance to re-evaluate my life and look at living in a whole new light. The attitudes that almost all the patients and certainly all the staff adopted were of positivity, support and dedication. The situation you are in makes you realise that no matter how ill you are and feel, there is always someone in there who is worse.

Over the course of the hospitalisation I built up strong friendships with people of all adult ages and was a witness for a chap called Tim who got married on the ward. Sadly a few days later he died. This feeling we were all "in the same boat" inspired us all and with the professionalism and dedication of the medical staff, gave us the hope and determination to combat the illness and view the treatment as a temporary inconvenience. The atmosphere on the ward, whilst sometimes sad, was one of camaraderie.

One evening I was discussing with Tim various aspects of life and it came to a "things to do before you are 50" conversation. There were a number of things I recall on my list. Some of these were obvious and outlandish such as get over the treatment, become a millionaire, own a Ferrari and get married. I recall quite high on my list was an attempt to summit Everest.

Upon my final release from hospital I went through a period of feeling alone after all the attention of having everything done for you. Again with the support of counselors, medical staff, friends and family I am happy to say in time I came through this phase. Earlier in 2007 my then boss, Colin, asked me if I was interested in accompanying him on a 17 day trek in the Himalayas. This would culminate in arriving at Everest Base Camp which is approximately 18,000 feet above sea level. When I sat and thought about it my mind took me back to that damp September 1992 evening in hospital and the conversation I had with Tim. I accepted the offer from Colin and on September 28th 2007 we departed to take on the challenge and trek from Lukla in Nepal to Everest Base Camp. We succeeded in reaching Base Camp at 14:20 local time on October 8th 2007.

Subsequent thoughts as we planned the trip lead me to set a goal that in the spring of 2013 I will, subject to interim training and other successful mountain summits, attempt to summit Everest. Whilst this is obviously the 'Ultimate Challenge' I am under no illusion how difficult the task ahead will be. My feeling is that given the illness I contracted and the subsequent treatment, it cannot be anymore difficult. I am lead to believe the success rate of summiting and surviving Everest is currently the same as children who survive Leukaemia...75%.

In recognition of the dedication, professionalism and support the medical staff and Leukaemia Busters gave and continue to give me during my illness and others, as a mark of respect to Tim and to try and repay in some small way my gratefulness for the gift of life. I decided I would like to raise the level of awareness of the illness and the pioneering work the charity involves itself in and obtain as much needed sponsorship and donations as I can. The goal is to raise £250,000 over the next 18 months. The total donated and pledged already stands at a fantastic £9,000

There will be various stages of this challenge and they are planned as follows:

  •  October 2007 - 17 day trek to Everest Base Camp - Successfully completed.
  •  Early Summer 2008 - Attend equipment and technique training culminating in a summit attempt on Mont Blanc. - Aborted due to cellulitis!!
  • May 2009 - "Stepping up Everest, Stomping out Leukaemia" - Using a step up platform (just under 12") stepping up 29,399 steps (equivalent height of Everest) in Newbury Shopping Centre - Completed weekend of 9th May 2009 
  • March 20th 2011 - Green Park Challenge, Reading - 1.75 mile run (carrying a 20kg back pack with Gareth Colwill (11 year old son of a friend) - Successfully completed
  • Summer 2011 - Summit attempt on Mt Blanc. TBC
  • Spring 2012 - Highest trekking Peak in Himalaya - Mera Peak. TBC
  • Late 2012 - Summit attempt on Cho Oyu - 8,000 mtr peak in Himalaya. TBC
  • Spring 2013 - Everest Summit attempt . TBC

I have set up this web site to show the progress through the various stages, physical training, news, views, videos, interviews, blogs and it will be regularly updated with any new developments . There is also access directly to Leukaemia Busters by clicking on the "just giving" badge at the top of this page where you can also donate on line.

Any donations you make no matter how small will make such a difference to a child's life.

Thank you for your support and generous gifts."

Best Wishes

Chris