With only a few hours left before Mt. Kilimanjaro, at 5,895m, stares back at eight Saudi climbers challenging us to a feat of a lifetime. As the time draws near, it's exciting to remember how it all began.

In 2007, I received an e-mail from a friend who was organizing a trip to Mt. Kilimanjaro. Being the adventurous person I am, I jumped at the idea and said, “I’m in!” not taking into account the fact that I was applying for a working visa (H1B) in the United States, and therefore, could not leave the country before receiving it.

That very same year, I made a pact that hopefully one day, a group of friends and I will attempt Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa and the highest freestanding mountain in the world.

Fast-forwarding the tape a little, it’s November 2010. We’re in the heart of India; the birthplace of Gandhi, who said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

We decide that 2012 shall be the year we attempt Mt. Kilimanjaro. Inspired by desire to see change in the world we decided that if we were to climb a mountain it would be for a cause, turning the physical challenge of climbing a mountain into a metaphor for overcoming the obstacles of disease.

The journey of a lifetime will begin Feb. 18, when we, a group of eight Saudi climbers, travel to Tanzania at our own expense, for a cause that hits too close to home for many of us. We’ve all heard of or known someone who has lost his/her life to cancer, and unanimously feel that there is room for us to help.

Kilimanjaro 4 Cancer, the title of our mission, will hopefully play a role in helping the Saudi Cancer Foundation (SCF) raise funds for the first early detection center in the Eastern Province in Saudi Arabia.

This center will cover the detection of the most common types of cancer among males and females in the Kingdom.

Thanks to the generosity of Fayha Water, a subsidiary of Mohammed A. Al-Rajhi and Sons Holding Group, SCF has already received a substantial amount in donations.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is the fourth ranked cause of death in the Middle East and kills approximately 272,000 individuals each year in this region. SCF states, “Resources for cancer control in the region, as a whole, are not only inadequate but directed almost exclusively to treatment.”

There is no denial that treatment is crucial and has saved many lives. However, intervening at the right time not only saves lives but can also reduce the immeasurable financial burden often associated with the disease.

The Saudi Cancer Foundation deserves a standing ovation for its sincerest efforts in drawing that smile on Ahmed’s face, for bringing Abu Abdullah from Jazan for his second chemo session, for encouraging Um Mohammed to do that mammogram that, God willing, saved her life and the list goes on and on.  On behalf of Ahmed, Abu Abdullah, Um Mohammed and many others, we (climbers) salute you.
 
— Mona Shahab is part of Kilimanjaro 4 Cancer team of eight climbers including Noor Ashadawi, Budoor Ashadawi, Khadija Al-Jefri, Ariel Al-Blehed, Ahmed Al-Rabiah, Abdullah Al-Mulhim and Hamza Marzouki.  If you would like to support this initiative, or would like more information, please write [email protected].  Climbers are fully supporting their climb.  All donations will go directly to the Saudi Cancer Foundation.