"I'm rowing the atlantic to save lives!"

I’m Louise Brown. I’ve done some pretty exciting things in the past. I have sailed back and forth across the Atlantic, ridden an off-road motorbike across the Atlas mountains, bungee jumped in Whistler, and wing-walked on a bi-plane to name but a few - but this next challenge tops them all.

Having never rowed before (not even on a rowing machine), I was looking for a new challenge. I feel incredibly lucky to have been selected to join a team of 12 to row across the Atlantic.

In February 2021, I will fly to Tenerife with Rannoch Adventures to meet up with my fellow crew members and, of course, our means of transport, “Roxy”. On 21 February, the adventure begins: we will row 3,000 miles from Tenerife to Antigua. We will spend up to 40 days rowing non-stop, working in a crew of 6, rowing 24 hours a day - two hours on the oars and two hours off, day and night. I’m literally counting the days down with anticipation and excitement.

I will be powered by freeze-dried meals which are so good I could honestly eat them at home (if I were in a hurry)! They are made by ActivEat, a small UK company started by two women after they themselves had rowed the Atlantic together.

I am limited to one 25-litre bag for my kit, which is not a lot. But I have the most amazing technical clothing from Zhik and Musto which packs down well. It’s going to be smelly – but at least we are in the middle of the ocean!

My preparation is going well, training twice a day. I am very fortunate to have Chris Jones, head coach at the Wellington Rowing Club, New Zealand, to help me. Chris has given his time and expertise so generously. We have managed to work the time difference well, thanks to Zoom, which often means he’s speaking to me at the crack of dawn his time.

I watched Team Margot row into English Harbour, Antigua, last year after their Atlantic crossing. They are my inspiration to raise awareness for the blood stem cell register and are the reason why DKMS is my chosen charity. I want to encourage as many of you as I possibly can to join the register and help save lives. All it takes is a simple cheek swab and two minutes of your time.

I feel so honoured to have been given this opportunity, (probably my whackiest challenge yet) and it has given me such a great focus in what has otherwise been a truly bizarre year. I will be 55 when I start the row. My husband, three sons, three grandchildren and my friends will be following the little boat-shaped tracker as it slowly makes its way across the vast expanse between the Canaries and the Caribbean.

I cannot wait to experience the welcome from friends and family in the harbour in Antigua and share the celebrations, after such a life-changing experience.

As I take on my challenge, you too could do something life-changing, potentially even life-saving. Please join the DKMS stem cell register. Let’s make every oar stroke count in helping us to find a stem cell match for all those people that need one. If you’re unable to register, DKMS would be very grateful if you could consider making a donation towards the cost of registrations.

Thank you for your support!