Trekking for the Royal Marsden Hospital – Nepal next!
In 2010 The Royal Marsden Hospital helped me get through cancer that had appeared in my chest, which upon diagnosis I had been given a 10-40% chance of survival. Following the latest check-up scan results, which were as good as they possibly could be I’ve just signed up to fundraising for the hospital by trekking Nepal in November this year. It’s my way of saying thanks so much for saving my life…again! You see in 2007 the Marsden got me through throat cancer, and at my lowest point during treatment I saw a notice in the hospital along the following lines; ‘Fundraise For The Royal Marsden – Go Trekking’. As soon as I saw it I knew I’d go – it was just a case of when and where. Twenty months later I set off to Iceland, and what an amazing experience that was. Here are a few of the shots from that trip:
The trek happened in August 2009 and was quite simply one of the most amazing experineces of my life. The scenery was weird but stunning, the weather at times truly dire, and there were challenges aplenty to overcome. The spirit of those involved was amazing particularly on the longest day’s trekking when we did nine hours in subzero temperatures, howling winds and non-stop rain/sleet/snow – two of the team needed treatment for hyperthermia. After six days we were back in Reykjavik for a celebration dinner (shark, whale, lobster soup, puffin) and then sampled the famous Reykjavik nightlife – it didn’t disappoint!
With that as a memory I’m very much looking forward to Nepal, and just like in 2009 it will form the last chapter in my next book, to follow ‘Bangers & Mash’ which I wrote whilst going through cancer in 2007 ( see http://www.throatcancersurvivor.co.uk for details). The follow-up will be very different as going through it all again was in one way strangely familiar, but also very different and less scary even if the odds were against me, plus I ended up doing plenty of non-medical work to aid the recovery, including sampling the likes of magnetic therapy, yoga and nutritional supplements.
If you’d like to comment or ask questions just drop me an email to keith@keithhern.com or call me on +44 7900 826714. To see other examples of my photography please visit http://www.keithhern.com .
I did a charity trek in Iceland in 2005. Was it the Landmannalaugar trail that you did? Wow – hypothermia in August! Good luck with Nepal, that must require a lot of training.