Join us at Otley Common for an engaging evening with Shaunna Burke, the first woman with incurable stage 4 cancer to summit Everest.

Dying to Climb: 14 in 4 is a global movement to transform how the world understands metastatic cancer.

In 2024 Shaunna was diagnosed with incurable stage-four breast cancer. Rather than retreat, she leaned into her training, science and mindset. She designed a tailored diet and exercise plan, running to her chemotherapy and radiotherapy appointments to keep her body moving and her mind focused.

On 29 May 2025 she completed the world’s highest marathon (https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-32/news/article/5769/researcher-with-incurable-cancer-takes-on-everest-marathon) — the Everest Marathon (starting at 5,356 m and finishing at 3,446 m) — in 7h 41m, placing 4th in her women’s foreigner category.Along the way she also climbed Lobuche East. This event raised vital funds for her selected cancer charity, MacMillan Cancer Support (https://www.justgiving.com/page/shaunna-burke).

Her journey was captured in a feature documentary by Saga Media Film, and in spring 2026, she plans to return to Everest to attempt the summit—proving that even with incurable cancer, the climb continues.

Reflecting on the endeavour, she said:

“Life doesn’t stop with an incurable cancer diagnosis.”

Her journey is not only a testament to elite physical performance but also a vivid, living example of how research, resilience and lived experience can converge.

Now she continues with her “14 in 4” project, striving to summit every 8,000 meter peak in the world in 4 years.

Description supplied by the event organiser.