1 in a million survivor - reborn to climb!

*UPDATE* Thanks to Covid, this trip has been postponed more times than I care to remember and it feels like a lifetime ago that I set this page up and started fundraising. I'm excited (and a bit nervous) that it's now full steam ahead for February 10th 2022! Thank you everyone for your continued encouragement and donations. More updates to follow..... *UPDATE* Firstly, a big THANK YOU to everyone that has donated and supported me so far! Due to Covid-19, my expedition to climb Kilimanjaro has now been postponed and will take place in February 2021, all being well. Despite this, I have been training during the last few months in preparation whilst looking for something to kick-start the fundraising again......with that in mind I thought I'd take a 4 day hike around the Isle of Wight: 108.7km and 2,000 metres of ascent - that's only around 18 miles a day, carrying a 10kg pack.....no problem! I sail across first thing Friday morning on the 7th August to start the first leg, keep an eye out for posts on my progress!! Remember, lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in the UK with over 43,500 people being diagnosed with lung cancer each year - that's 120 people every day. Every penny donated on this site goes directly toward funding the prevention and treatment of lung cancer. Please give generously, thank you. Thanks for taking the time to visit my fundraising page. My name is Sam Castro. In August 2020 I will be taking part in a 12 day expedition to climb the tallest freestanding mountain in the world. At 5,895 metres (19,341 feet) above sea level, the summit of Kilimanjaro is a long way up! I will be undertaking some serious fitness training in the 6-9 months prior to the trek and I will be climbing a large number of mountains in the UK in preparation. Keep an eye out for updates on my progress! I want to take on this huge challenge for two main reasons: 1. In April 2020 I will be celebrating 5 years post bone marrow transplant after surviving a rare 1 in a million blood disease. 2. During my 3 year recovery period I lost several members of my family to cancer and so this is in memory of those loved ones with the aim of raising as much money as possible. In particular, my mother-in-law, Carol Adamson, who was also my dear friend. After my bone marrow transplant, Carol looked after me for two weeks before I was able to return home and for the following 6 months she drove me to my clinic appointments twice a week. Latterly when Carol was diagnosed with lung cancer I was able to spend time with her and after she lost the option to drive, I was able to take Carol to various places that she enjoyed. We became close friends and would often sit and chat in an afternoon. Our serious health problems provided a unique connection between us and we were often able to discuss treatment side-effects in the knowledge that we had both suffered with them. Carol was the best mother-in-law I could have hoped for and an amazing Nannie to my four children. Please share this page and give generously to Cancer Research UK, they focus on cutting-edge research and promoting awareness in an effort to reduce the number of lives taken from cancer. In loving memory of Carol Adamson, Sue Castro and Anthony O’Hare. Here’s some interesting facts about me and if you’re interested you can read my story by clicking the link below: 1. In the 12 months following May 2014, I received more than 30 litres of transfused blood from generous donors! 2. My blood group is different to that which I was born with. I was born A- and now I’m O+! 3. I have two sets of DNA. A blood test would reveal different DNA to a test from my saliva! To read my story please click on the link below – don’t forget to donate and share this page first though! Thank you! https://www.facebook.com/SamCastro.oneinamillion Cancer is happening right now, which is why I’m fundraising right now for Cancer Research UK. There’s no time to lose! Donate to my page today and help bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.