On Monday 30th September Dave Bolton will be leading a team of 8, on a 10 day expedition to attempt to summit Mt Kilimanjaro. 

Mt. Kilimanjaro is located in Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania. It is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest single free-standing mountain above sea level in the world: 5,895 m (19,341 ft) above sea level and about 4,900 m (16,100 ft) above its plateau base. It is the highest volcano in Africa and the Eastern Hemisphere.

Kilimanjaro is the fourth most prominent peak on Earth.

The expedition, aptly named 'Summiting Against all Odds,' is more than just a climb. It's a testament to Dave Bolton's remarkable journey of courage and determination in the face of severe adversity.

THE STORY BEHIND THE TREK

On Thursday 2nd May 2014 Dave and his families worlds came crashing down when he was rushed into hospital unexpectedly after suffering a 15 minute violent seizure over night. 

Scans showed the presentation of a tennis ball sized diffuse brain tumour in the right frontal lobe of his brain. The tumour was later confirmed as an Astrocytoma diffuse type grade II.

Following life saving surgery to debulk the tumour he was given a 5 year life prognosis.

Dave began to try and pace back his life.

In July 2015 unfortunately at a subsequent scan results meeting he was given the devastating news that a second primary golf ball tumour had presented in the midline of his brain. 

Dave was in surgery two days late for yet another life saving operation on his brain. Surgery didn’t go to plan sue to brain tumour doubling in size in just 2 weeks from scan to surgery. 

Dave and his family were dealt the news that the tumour was a Glioblastoma Multiforme IV IDH 1 Wildtype (GBM4). A GBM4 is known in the medical world as ‘The Terminator’ as it is relentless and always come back.

Dave was given a terminal life prognosis of just 3 months to live without conventional treatment and only 6-8  months with it.

Dave was written off by the medical world, with the statistics showing that only 25% of those worldwide diagnosed with a  GBM4 will live to 1 Year, only 17% will live to 2 Years, 5% will only make it to 5 Years and only 1% will make it to 10 years. 

Dave undertakes this expedition moving into 10 years since his journey began in attempt to prove the medical world wrong and to defy all the odds.

Not only the fact the Dave continues to defy the odd but In 2004 he was involved in a near fatal motorbike accident where he was crushed by a 23ton articulated lorry. 

The injuries sustained from the accident deemed him being likely to prove fatal at the scene of the incident.

Dave had extensive life threatening lower body injuries including his left leg being severed from below the knee. 

He was airlifted to hospital where it was reported he made it with only 30seconds to spare. 

Dave  was placed in an induced coma following a 14 hour lifesaving operation.

He spent 4 months in various hospitals undergoing several operations on both of his legs. 

Dave was left in tears when he was informed that he wouldn’t be able to walk unaided again.

Undertaking his own brutal and often painful rehabilitation at home, he not only managed to walk, jog and run unaided but became World Kickboxing champion in 2009 in Pisa, Italy with the great Britain team.

AHEAD OF THE GAME FOUNDATION

Ahead Of The Game Foundation is a registered cancer charity that provides fully funded physical, mental and emotional support to those with a confirmed diagnosis of cancer. 

The Foundation also extends crucial support not only to those battling the life-altering impact of cancer but also to their families and loved ones, empowering them through the challenging and often overwhelming journey of life-threatening, life-changing, and life-debilitating effects caused by this cruel disease.

Ahead Of The Game Foundation aims to bridge the gap by offering a comprehensive, fully funded rehabilitation program for individuals diagnosed with cancer worldwide. Our Health & Wellbeing Cancer Rehabilitation Programme not only enhances physical recovery, but also promotes mental well-being in the aftermath of a cancer diagnosis.

Their mission is to bring about a positive transformation in the lives of those affected by cancer, extending support not only to the individuals diagnosed but also to their families. Ahead Of The Game Foundation addresses the unique challenges that cancer survivors face, ensuring they regain strength, confidence and a renewed sense of purpose by ultimately taking back control of their own situation.

Pulse Press Lymph 12 Pro Compression Therapy Unit

Lymphedema is swelling in various areas of your body that happens when something affects your lymphatic system. Your lymphatic system collects excess fluid, proteins and toxins from your cells and tissues and returns them to your bloodstream.

When your lymphatic system doesn’t work well, your body accumulates fluid and may begin to swell. The swelling typically affects your arms and legs, but it can affect other areas of your body, too. Lymphedema also increases your risk of developing an infection where you have the condition.

Cancer or cancer treatment can affect the fluid drainage channels of the lymphatic system. Fluid then doesn't drain in the normal way, so the area swells.

About 1 in 5 people (20%) will have lymphoedema of the arm after breast cancer treatment that includes:

• surgery to remove lymph nodes
• radiotherapy to the lymph nodes

If lymphoedema is not treated, it may get worse. It can be painful and make it difficult to move your arm.

Ahead Of The Game Foundation would like to fundraise £6000 to purchase the best Lymph compression unit and relevant compression garments to offer FREE therapy to those diagnosed with cancer to improve their quality of life with Lymphoedema.

THE TREK

As Dave and his team embark on this extraordinary expedition, they aim to not only raise vital funds for cancer research through the Ahead Of The Game Foundation but also to inspire individuals facing similar life-threatening challenges. Their journey serves as a beacon of hope, reminding us all that with courage, resilience, and community support, anything is possible.

Join us as we witness the power of the human spirit reaching new heights, one step at a time.

Together, let's summit against all odds.