CEO to Voyage the South Pole for Cancer Charities: 'A Risk Worth Taking'

Lance Kawaguchi, the CEO of the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation, intends to make a substantial impact, and he plans to do it in one of the most extreme climates on earth – Antarctica.

Motivated by a cause that is not only admirable but also personal, Kawaguchi is preparing to embark on a monumental journey across the South Pole.

This Hawaii-born, Sydney-based CEO has a goal of raising funds for cancer charities worldwide, a mission he started after a tragic loss close to his heart.

His mother, Katherine Kawaguchi, a former schoolteacher and a strong advocate for social causes, succumbed to pancreatic cancer in 2016, a pivotal event that laid the groundwork for Lance's philanthropic journey.

Today, as with so many others before him, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, or rather, trek.

It may surprise anyone to learn that Lance, a man who hadn't worked out in over three decades, has committed to this physically demanding feat.

Taking a leap out of his comfort zone and into the realm of inspire and awe, Lance's sights are now firmly set on the chilly South Pole.

Inspired by others who had trekked across the South Pole, Lance decided he would also rise to the challenge, adding a charitable aspect to it.

Charities across the world are invited to join Kawaguchi's mission of raising funds as he undertakes this enormous expedition.

The opportunity to contribute is open to all, with individual donors having the choice to give any amount to the charity of their preference.

The Cure Brain Cancer Foundation alone is aiming to raise $2 million through Kawaguchi’s efforts, in addition, every affiliated charity has its own fundraising objectives.

Lance’s initiative has already garnered the support of the royal family of Qatar, partnering for the first time ever with the Qatar Cancer Society.

In Hong Kong, he'll be journeying for the Asian Fund for Cancer Research and many more charities worldwide, targeting a diverse set of organizations fighting against cancer.

Kawaguchi's Titan-like task commences on December 15th, 2023, aiming to conclude around January 4th, 2024.

He'll be venturing 70 miles across the South Pole in extreme conditions, enduring the bitter cold of up to -22 degrees Fahrenheit, while navigating around 9,300 feet above sea level.

All the while, he will be pulling a hefty, 90-pound sled loaded with supplies, spending about 10 hours a day, literally walking the walk for cancer charities.

The extreme cold isn't his only worry as Lance will have to protect himself from both frostbite and sunburn amidst twenty-four hours of sunlight.

Despite the looming physical obstacles and Antarctica being a 'frozen desert' according to Kawaguchi, he keeps pushing forward in his mission.

Fueling up for the strenuous journey ahead, Lance has ramped up his daily calorie intake from 1,800 to 9,000, while undergoing a rigid daily training for the past 10 months.

Kawaguchi yearns for the day that not just millions, but everybody acts to support the cause, leading to a unified global effort against cancer, the disease which has been around without a cure for over 5,000 documented years.

Taking his mother's last wishes to heart, he hopes to make a lasting social impact and reorient charity organizations' focus towards a collaborative approach, believing in a future where everyone can be successful.

Undeterred by the risks and challenges that lie ahead, Kawaguchi firmly believes that the potential impact of his mission outweighs the dangers, as he proves, quite literally, that he’d go to the ends of the earth for his cause.

To support Kawaguchi's endeavor and to contribute towards cancer charities of your choice, visit southpoletrek4cancer.org/partners.