La Lucia family climbs for a cause
Local family hope to inspire others to take up the challenge of raising funds for CHOC the Childhood Cancer Foundation of SA.
AS Massimo Dus, and his daughter Daniela climb every step of Mount Kilimanjaro’s 19,341 feet, they are well aware that they will also be taking a step for those who have been affected by or suffering with cancer. The La Lucia residents will scale Africa’s highest peak for CHOC the Childhood Cancer Foundation of SA later this month in the hope of bringing awareness and raising funds for the organisation.
The intrepid duo has also been given a flag bearing the foundations logo and hundreds of signatures by children who are being treated for cancer at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital.
It all started with a fortuitous hike up Sani Pass explains Massimo. “We were sitting at the top of the highest pub in Africa, the Sani Mountain Lodge when we noticed more than 400 people walking up the pass.
I asked one of the people what this was for and they explained it was an annual charity walk for CHOC. I was blown away by their camaraderie and spirit and I thought this is just awesome.
“When we got back home, Daniela checked out their website and our minds were made up, we were going to climb the highest free-standing mountain in the world for CHOC. You just have to walk into the paediatric oncology ward at Albert Luthuli to see how these courageous children, undergoing chemotherapy, are battling cancer. Every step up the mountain is a step for all those who have been affected by cancer,” he said.
Daniela said she has dreamed of climbing Kilimanjaro since she was a little girl and now she is determined to go the extra mile in aid of a good cause.
“I’ve always had quite an adventurous spirit. My dad and I love hiking and this has always been a collective dream. Now I am determined to do something positive for others suffering from this dreaded disease,” she said.
The 17-year-old has also been spreading the word at her school Maris Stella, handing out pamphlets and raising funds for the foundation through key rings, stickers and other CHOC items.
Both Daniela and Massimo agree their hardest challenge will be acclimatisation.
“Kilimanjaro encompasses a wide variety of ecosystems, you go from tropical jungle, savannah, and desert to subalpine plants, and then to a glacier like system. We’ve been training extremely hard and we are determined to complete this safari,” Massimo said.
Their hope is to inspire others to take up the challenge by trekking up the mountain collecting the flag and continuing the cycle of awareness for the foundation.
To Donate: If you would like to donate pay directly into the foundation’s bank account: CHOC-DURBAN, Standard Bank, Killarney, account number 241 319 978 (branch code 007-205). You can track your donation by visiting www.givengain.com
