Ray & Jayson Funnell - Summit 7

Prelude To Our Dream

For some inexplicable reason, it has always been my desire to save someone’s life; perhaps a drowning child or a family from within a burning house. Somehow I felt that achieving this goal would bring more meaning to my life. Strangely or perhaps naturally, I never imaged that one day it would be my own life that was hanging on by a slender thread! My life affected by Leukemia and in need of saving by strangers.

Challenged by this disease, I questioned how I was ever going to recover, when my own body, my bone marrow, was the enemy! Although I knew the doctors could wipe out the harmful Leukemia cells, I also knew that high doses of chemo-therapy could also destroy the good cells in my body. Ironically, rather than save someone else’s life, I found my life and future now completely in the hands of voluntary donors and their life saving gifts. My brother donated healthy bone marrow and I received numerous blood and platelet transfusions over the months in hospital. Although the high-dose ‘chemo’ was extremely hard to endure, there was an outpouring of love and support from family, friends and unknown donors. My wife Lynne (a true angel) did everything humanly possible to nurse and challenge me through the tough times. I/We made it through. I truly owe my life to these selfless champions and now aspire to give back!

These days, every morning, I am excited waking up with the knowledge that I have been given another day to live. I make every day count by living - living large! My personal creed is to try everything…as the Nike slogan expresses “Just Do It”. You will not believe the things that I’ve done (“Just Done It”) and those that I’m planning to do (“Just Doing It”). My tangible dream is to climb the seven continents seven (7) highest mountain peaks with my son and while doing so bring awareness of the need for Bone Marrow, Whole Blood and Platelet donations. It is a bonus to be sharing this adventure with my 15 year old son Jayson; making up some of the time we lost during my hospitalisation. It is our hope that our quest inspires people in South Africa and around the world to live their dreams and to donate their life giving blood products to benefit others who can get a second chance like me.

To best achieve these goals we are calling for the financial and other support of corporate and private sponsors – People like you, who have the power to assist us to make a difference in the lives of others, whilst helping us realise our dreams. To become part of this pursuit of possibility see our plans below or simply call me (Ray) at 083 256 3322 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contact Angus at 076 531 9920 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. now.

Our Objective

As a Leukemia survivor, my son and I wish to raise awareness of the work of The Sunflower Fund (Bone Marrow Registry & Transplant Service) and the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) by climbing the Seven Highest Mountain Peaks in the Seven Continents and…as a result of the publicity, show our gratitude to the current Bone Marrow, Blood and Platelet Donors, encourage potential donors to start donating these life saving gifts and show cancer patients, cancer survivors and their families what is still very possible after ‘Chemo’ and Hospitalisation.