A scientist who survived breast cancer is set to scale Africa’s tallest mountain to raise funds for Cancer Research UK.
Dr Deborah Kinnear, a psychologist and senior researcher at Glasgow University, will mark the milestone of her 10th year free from the disease by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in July.
A keen charity runner, Deborah is scaling the 5895-metre-high mountain in Tanzania with her best friend Michelle Canfora.
The pair have been friends since first meeting as first year pupils at St Bride's High School, East Kilbride.
Deborah said: “When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I was told about all these things that I wouldn’t be able to do anymore because of the surgeries and treatments.
“That just made me more determined to be active and not let cancer restrain me.
"There are so many people I know who have had or have cancer.
"I am now 10 years free and since then the treatment has become even more advanced and less invasive thanks to research.
“There are so many trials and so much research that it is incredible what has been achieved and funding that is as important as ever.”
Research played a big part in the life-saving treatment Deborah received when she was diagnosed with HER2 positive breast cancer in November 2012 at the age of 30.
She underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy and then began taking Herceptin.
Cancer Research UK scientists helped establish the link between some cancer and ‘growth factor receptor’ proteins on the surface of cells - a crucial early step in the development of Herceptin.
The charity also funded the clinical trials unit where the research showing that Herceptin can improve survival for people with a certain type of breast cancer was completed.
Deborah and Michelle, who leave Scotland on July 4, aim to start their climb on July 11, and complete it in seven days.
They’ve spent the past year preparing for her challenge with regular trips up the Munros in Scotland and for the climb in Africa are joining a group led by Rock Dove Ltd.
Deborah said: “Reaching 10 years of being cancer free is like starting a new chapter in my life and it is really exciting.
“I feel physically fit enough for the challenge and my only real fear is altitude sickness and how I will cope with that.
"Michelle and I have been friends for nearly 30 years and we’ve been on many adventures together.
"We can’t wait to get started on this latest adventure to Mount Kilimanjaro.
"We are determined to do it and just hope people will get behind us and support Cancer Research UK.”
Deborah has been leading a team at the Scottish Learning Disabilities Observatory to investigate cancer rates in the Scottish population with particular interest in occurrence among people with intellectual disabilities; and she oversees a project on palliative care for breast cancer patients.
Deborah said: “Life has changed so much for me.
“It means a great deal to be able to work in areas of academic research that I am extremely passionate about; cancer research being one of those areas.
"The possibility of potentially making a difference to people’s lives for the better, through research, is such a rewarding aspect of my job.”
Deborah’s mountain challenge has so far raised £7500 for Cancer Research UK.
Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/team/kickingcancersass
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