Ian Toothill reached the highest peak in the world on June 5, to prove that his cancer would not prevent him from achieving his dream.
At 47, he only has a few months to live. Ian Toothill was diagnosed with bowel cancer in June 2015. After a few months of treatment, his doctors confirmed he was in remission.
But a recent relapse left him with a very poor prognosis. The sports coach from Sheffield (north of England) then decided to climb Everest, despite the disease that is eating away at him. Or maybe thanks to her.
On May 14, he left base camp to begin his journey which led him to the summit on Monday.
“Nothing special to see… Just a guy with cancer on top of Mount Everest, and for a few minutes the tallest person in the world! “.
35,000 euros in donations
To finance his project, he called for donations. He was thus able to collect nearly 35,000 euros, a good part of which was swallowed up by the trip. The rest was donated to a cancer charity.
A handsome player, the supporter of Sheffield Wednesday FC football club even agreed to plant the flag of great local rival Sheffield United at the top of Everest to thank one of his friends who had donated more than 1 000 euros for a good cause. He even took his picture with it!
Credit: Ian Toothill / Facebook
Tired but alive
Despite his cancer, Ian Toothill returned unharmed, but not in perfect health. “I need to rest: I lost 10% of body mass, I had to do two courses of antibiotics in addition to the challenges that my cancer imposed on me, he wrote on his page Facebook. But I’m still there, I’m moving forward. There is always a way … “
On his Facebook page, he posted a message explaining that he wanted to “inspire” cancer victims, showing them that it was possible to “go out there and do something special that they had always wanted to do.” Whether it’s finishing a book they promised to write, learning to do new things, or taking that famous dream trip. “
“I climb for you who suffer from cancer on a daily basis”.
“I climb for you who lost the battle, and for the friends and families who pick up the pieces.”
“For those who find it difficult to cope and suffer at night, be strong and remember this: you will never lose, there is always a way out”.
“And to the unscrupulous employers, insurance companies, banks and financial institutions who treat us with contempt, my message is: change, and change now. We are here, we are stronger than you are. think, and we’ll win. “
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