G'day G'day
I did a walk from Brisbane to Melbourne after (kinda) surviving (but being broken by) stage four cancer (six months to live deal, but I beat it)
It was 2200km+ and the thing is .. it was more than just some .. walk, it was a pilgrimage, and that's the most important advice I can give you - be clear in your purpose, be authentic.
Cancer research, until we pull the thumb out as a civilisation level, will always be in need of funds and support, and there will never be enough - so don't get too wrapped up in the financial performance of it, just call the charity you're helping and take their advice, and if you have friends or family, especially in the media or business, ask them to show support. That's the main key .. ask.
I raised $165,000 for paediatric cancer research - for me I don't like how people fundraise for causes that impact them directly, or their family, like some celeb who supports diabetes because their aunty has it .. for me paediatric cancer research is righteous because .. well, no child should have to endure what we've gone through, it's just wrong ... and research is about the root of the problem, rather than dealing with the consequential harm, the societal harm, making wishes and all that, it's about solving the problem, improving and softening treatments.
But yeah, good on you for taking a Quest, I hope you find something on the road and inside yourself - THAT is the most important thing, doing it with a spirit of adventure. And don't worry if anybody is looking, it needs to be better than the kind of virtue signaling stuff people do these days - be clear and pure in your own heart about your reasons, and the support will come in, I reckon. And to have that purity you kinda need to talk about it - so my advice is to share your struggle as transparently and honestly as possible, because it might just help someone in a similar boat.
Sorry, those are intangible philosophical comments I guess as opposed to practical advice.
I'm about to set out (July) on total circumnavigation of Australia (15,000km trek), and I still have some pretty crippling post cancer problems. I'm going to do it dressed as a superhero, because that's my way of consciously or unconsciously saying that we all need to superhero up and tackle the problems in our slowly declining world, we need to reach out and help ourselves and each other .. that kindness is the antidote to sorrow.
I think when you try to do something bold or unusual, you're probably also trying to make a statement, that's my other advice - if that's the case, make it with clarity .. and with a flourish 🙂
