A word from Michael

Thank you for taking the time to read this page. I sincerely hope its contents inspire you, your organisation, or community to join us in one big adventure.

It is not long to go now and we are working tirelessly to ensure we are really doing our homework. I will admit, I often find myself visualising standing on the rocks at Cape York on the first morning of the walk

In fact, I reckon I can smell the sea air and feel the weight of the pack as I begin the walk south along the Bamaga Rd.  Importantly, I also see many friendly and excited faces around me, some familiar, some not, yet  each one having made their own sacrifices in getting themselves to that most remote of places in Far North Queensland.    This day-dreaming is easy, very easy! The harsh reality is there's so much work involved in bringing May 5th 2008 to fruition it does make my head spin!   It's at these times I find myself going back to the basics of what we are doing and why we are doing it. Put simply, too many people close to me have been touched by cancer.   Their bravery and courage in fighting the disease is often matched only by the determination of those caring professionals committed to treating them.   I believe all of us have the desire to help others when we can. When I thought seriously about my own capacity to contribute, I found myself somewhat limited.

I don't have the skills of the surgeon or the intellect of the research scientist. I do not possess the patience and empathy of the grief or crisis counselor.  After further thought, I concluded what I could do was carry a pack all day and if I did this long enough and far enough it may inspire others with the means available to kick in some funds and build a total to make a difference. I'm amazed by the range of cancer related services funded by The Cancer Council of Australia.  In fact, they raise $60M every year without government assistance, to help us Australians with our cancer battles. This sort of self reliance is a very Australian way of going about things and a bush walk is a fitting way of showing support for those who care so much for others.  I look forward to you throwing your support behind us and sharing my dream of helping the helpers. Yours Truly Michael Mitchell CONTACT MICHAEL   T: 0429199717 E: mitcatch@hotmail.com michael@thegreatcancerwalk.com.au