Hi all! I'm gonna climb up a really really really big mound of dirt and raise funds for charity in the process.

Statistics: 1 in 2 Australians will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85. The major cancers affecting society today are prostate cancer for men and breast cancer for women. The next most common cancers for both men and women are colorectal cancer, melanoma and lung cancer (Source: Cancer in Australia 2010: an overview (AIHW)).

Challenge: In September this year, myself and group of others have challenged ourselves to climb the world’s highest free-standing mountain and help fund cancer research that can save millions of lives. This challenge will be an incredible 13-day adventure to Tanzania to scale Mount Kilimanjaro.

Mount Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano in Kilimanjaro National Park, Tanzania and the highest mountain in Africa at 5,895 metres or 19,341 feet above sea level (the Uhuru Peak/Kibo Peak).

Goal: The goal of this event is to raise as much money as possible to assist in finding a cure for cancer. The funds raised for the charity are tax deductible. So any donation you can make would be greatly appreciated and would look very good on your tax return. Please pass this on to everyone you know and help me to raise some money for a fantastic cause.

• All money donated through this site will go directly to cancer research. I will cover all my travel costs.

A bit about me: I have been involved in UV radiation and skin cancer prevention research since 1999 and this year I have decided to do something completely different and be even more active in the fundraising area.

Blog:

18/06/12 - Only two weeks till world championships in Hong Kong...it's supposed to be 30 degrees over there...mmmmmm. My xbox is just a distant memory now...oh how I miss thee.

06/06/12 - ARRGGHH!!!! Now it's freakin cold on the water! Will try six layers of clothes next time instead of five.

02/05/12 - Ok it's starting to get damn cold on the water now....brrrrrr....what craziness was I thinking!!!!

09/04/12 - Well back into training for the dragon boat world championships in June....

07/04/12 - Just finished competing in the dragon boat nationals in Melbourne. You might say I'm a little pooped now so am taking some time off....BOOYAAA xbox!

09/03/12 - A few weeks in with the dragon boat training...when will the muscle soreness stop...boo hoo. Have had to cut back on the Xbox to get more sleep...damn it! Relay for Life coming up...will try for 50 km this year before I break.

20/02/12 - Have started training for dragon boat racing (Nationals in April)...hopefully this won't cut in to my Xbox too much...

10/02/12 - Have starting thinking about the possibilities of contemplating the thought of what training I need to start....hmmm. Maybe a couple of hours on the Xbox will give me some ideas...