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Addingham woman with terminal cancer to run Everest Marathon

Shaunna Burke from Addingham in Craven

49 year old Shaunna Burke from Addingham is to run Everest Marathon following terminal cancer diagnosis.

Shaunna first applied for the run last year but had to delay her trip after her diagnosis of incurable breast cancer.

The cancer had spread to her liver and in the past 12 months she has had four months of chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, liver surgery and radiotherapy.

Shaunna has a doctorate in exercise and health psychology and has used her knowledge for mountaineering and more.

Her work focuses on studying exercise and its effects on cancer.

Shaunna has previously climbed four out of the seven highest peaks in the world - Mount Aconcagua in Argentina, Elbrus in Russia, Kilimanjaro in Africa and Everest in Nepal but The Everest Marathon will be her first marathon.

She has been to Everest three times and became the second Canadian woman to climb Everest in 2005 and since has also researched the psychology of mountaineering.

The Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon is an annual race which starts at Everest Base Camp and finishes in the town of Namche Bazaar.

It is held on 29th May and Dr Burke will travel to Nepal on 15th May to complete a 6,119m (20,075ft) climb of Lobuche Peak.

Shaunna has so far raised more than £7,000 for cancer charity Macmillan, which helped her during her treatment at Airedale Hospital and St James' Hospital.

 

 

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