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I Can Do Hard Things
On September 6, 2017, Molly, a breast cancer survivor, summited Mt. Kilimanjaro as part of Radiating Hope’s annual Tanzania expedition. Her journey through cancer treatments and her determination to reach the top of Africa's highest peak is a testament to her resilience and strength.
Molly’s Story:
Molly was diagnosed with breast cancer during spring break. Her journey started with a mammogram and biopsy, and within days, she received the diagnosis that changed her life. With the support of her family, Molly underwent chemotherapy and radiation therapy, enduring months of treatments that left her physically and emotionally drained.
Despite the hardships, Molly's determination never wavered. She recalls, "It's not really about being strong; it's about having cancer and doing what you need to survive. I had three little kids. I had to live for a long, long time."
The Climb:
Molly joined the Radiating Hope team to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, led by Rasmus Rasmusen, who captured the journey in a powerful video. As she embarked on this climb, Molly was determined to prove to herself that she could do hard things.
Molly shared her thoughts as she started the climb, "I'm not a hiker. I've never hiked anything in my life or camped ever in my life. I just wanted to throw myself out there and see what I was made of."
The team faced numerous challenges, including steep climbs and high altitudes. On the second day, they reached nearly 13,000 feet, pushing through fatigue and altitude sickness. Molly and the team stayed motivated, knowing they were climbing for a greater cause.
The Symbolic Prayer Flags:
One of the most poignant moments of the climb was when the team decorated Shira Camp with prayer flags dedicated to those touched by cancer. As the flags blew in the wind, they symbolized prayers, love, hope, and strength. Molly found this activity particularly meaningful, knowing it connected their physical journey with the emotional and spiritual fight against cancer.
Reaching the Summit:
On the final day, the team pushed through exhaustion to reach the summit camp. Molly reflected on the journey, "What a great thing our bodies are and what a wonderful place our Earth is. It's so wonderful to have that experience of being alive."
Molly's climb wasn’t just a testament to her physical strength but also to her mental resilience. She concluded, "You can't just do one hard thing and then be done. You keep doing hard things."
Radiating Hope’s Mission:
Cancer is a leading cause of death in developing countries, but it remains an overlooked issue. Many people die from treatable types of cancer simply because no treatment is available. Through fundraising efforts, Radiating Hope has set out to provide and strengthen cancer care in developing countries. By climbing mountains, we raise funds to help the underserved. Our 2016 mission to Mt. Kilimanjaro secured the donation of two radiation machines to Western Tanzania, bringing advanced cancer care to this region for the first time.
Together we can spread awareness and make a difference. Learn more at radiatinghope.org.
Watch Molly’s Journey: You can watch the full video of Molly’s inspiring climb and learn more about Radiating Hope’s mission here: Video Link.
Join Us: If you would like to join Radiating Hope on a future climb and support our mission, visit radiatinghope.org for more information.
Together, we can spread awareness and make a difference. Let's continue to climb new heights and bring hope to those who need it most.