Leeds researcher Dr Shaunna Burke has become the first woman with stage four incurable cancer to summit Mount Everest, after reaching the peak at 3am on Saturday 23 May.
As an exercise psychologist at the University of Leeds, Dr Shaunna Burke has dedicated her career to researching how exercise can be used in cancer treatment.
Determined to push herself further after completing the Everest Marathon last year, Dr Burke set out to summit the world’s tallest mountain in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support in April – all while dealing with the long-term effects of her incurable breast cancer and chemotherapy treatment.
I dedicate this climb to everyone who has been touched by cancer. No matter what you are facing, continue to believe, hold on to hope, and do the very best you can each day.
The awe-inspiring challenge is also a research project in collaboration with Leeds Beckett University, and the subject of an independent film titled Dying to Climb.
Dr Burke said: “Reaching the top was one of the most meaningful moments of my life, and I could not have done it without the unwavering support of my two incredible climbing Sherpas, Lopsang and Khangdo. Their strength, experience, and encouragement carried me every step of the way.
“Thank you to my sponsors, and to all my friends, family, and followers for your incredible support throughout this journey. Your belief in me kept me going even in the toughest moments.
“I dedicate this climb to everyone who has been touched by cancer. No matter what you are facing, continue to believe, hold on to hope, and do the very best you can each day.”
Dr Burke, who works in the School of Biomedical Sciences at Leeds, created a personalised diet and exercise plan for herself after being diagnosed with incurable breast cancer in 2024. She ran to chemotherapy and radiotherapy appointments to maintain her fitness and mental health during cancer treatment.
Preparing for the challenge
Dr Burke at the Everest Marathon (left) and training in LBU’s altitude chamber (right).
In preparation for the climb, Dr Burke trained in the altitude chamber at Leeds Beckett University’s (LBU) Carnegie School of Sport, walking on a treadmill with a weighted rucksack to simulate the demands of climbing above 4,000 metres.
Shaunna has shown us all what is achievable against the odds.
Monitored by Dr Barney Wainwright, an Applied Sports Scientist at LBU, the training helped to prepare her for the exertions of the challenge as well as providing data on how her body adapted to low oxygen levels.
Dr Wainwright, an experienced mountaineer and expert in high altitude training, said: “By ascending to the highest place on earth, the summit of Mount Everest, Shaunna has achieved something remarkable and unique. With determination and focus, she has been able to address the long-lasting effects of her chemotherapy treatments and overcome the limitations that they placed on her ability to function at this extreme altitude. Shaunna has shown us all what is achievable against the odds.
“LBU are proud to have been a part of her journey. It has been an incredible team effort, with us rallying round over the last 16 weeks to help her achieve her mission. We have been uniquely placed with our facilities and expertise to make the summit possible, and we wish her all the best for a safe descent and a rapid recovery.”
On Shaunna’s team for the first part of the climb were anaesthetist and high-altitude expert Dr Patrycja Jonetzko, who has provided medical support for a number of mountain expeditions, as well as camera operator and director Ben Ayers from Rainshadow Films, the makers of the Dying to Climb documentary.
A long journey and a treat from Yorkshire
The expedition began on 16 April with the team’s ascent of Mera Peak, a 6,400-metre mountain where the research testing was conducted. This stage allowed Shaunna to be closely monitored as she acclimatised to high altitude and very low temperatures.
On April 30 Dr Burke said goodbye to her team and progressed to Everest Base Camp at 5,364 metres with her climbing Sherpas.
She was joined by a group of friends and trekkers at base camp, where a traditional Hindu Puja ceremony of devotion and worship took place. Shaunna also enjoyed some treats from back home in Yorkshire, with a cake brought all the way to the Himalayas from Bettys.
She set off with her team of climbing Sherpas, climbing to Camp 2 and Camp 3 and awaited a suitable weather window for the summit push, eventually reaching the top at 3am on 23 May.
Dr Burke became the second Canadian woman to summit Everest’s peak, at 8,849m above sea level, in 2005. This is her second time reaching the highest point on earth.
So far, Dr Burke has raised more than £30,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support through this project alone. Follow her progress on Instagram and LinkedIn.
Further information
Top images: Credit Lopsang Sherpa. Left: Dr Shaunna Burke and team at the Everest summit. Right: Dr Shaunna Burke on the Everest climb.