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Profiles
of The Seven.
Challenge
Cancer Through Adventure was
established by 7 Peak District based adventure activity enthusiasts
together with their families and friends. All seven either have or
have had cancer.
They wanted to enable other people with cancer or a terminal illness to 'live
a dream' and to challenge people's perceptions of cancer and terminal illness.
Click on the thumbnail for more details of each.
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Dave
Baines
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I am a Freelance outdoor activity
instructor, and development trainer, living and working in the
peak. In 1993 I was diagnosed with bladder cancer and had
to undergo five operations and a dose of chemotherapy, which took
a year out of my life. I thank god I have been healed of
it, never the less each annual check up there is always that nagging
doubt…
I recognise that as well as this I am one of those
very fortunate individuals who get paid to do what I would normally
do for fun. Working in the outdoors has been a huge blessing,
and I try to pass some of this on to others in the work that
I do.
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Claire de Faye
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In 1984 at the age of 29, I was diagnosed with an
aggressive type of cervical cancer. I had a radical hysterectomy
which showed that there had been a spread to the nearest lymph
node so I then had a month long course of radiotherapy to zap any
remaining cancer cells. I made a rapid recovery and was soon
back to climbing, running and participating in mountain marathons
with little more than a daily dose of HRT and a rather impressive
scar to remind me of the experience.
More than twenty years on, I am still very active, working full-time
as an outdoor education teacher and adviser. My current
ambition is to take part in a triathlon but I have a lot of work
to do on my swimming technique.
I got married six years ago to Roger who has similar interests. I
have no children of my own, though Roger has two grown- up daughters
from his previous marriage.
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Dave Edwards
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Dave Edwards was born in Blackburn,
Lancashire and started caving whilst at school. He began
instructing caving at Whernside Manor in the Yorkshire Dales before
moving to the Buxton area in 1976 to join the staff at the White
Hall Centre. Dave soon widened his range of instructing skills
to include rock-climbing, canoeing, sailing, orienteering and mountain
biking. He was an active member of the Derbyshire Cave Rescue
Organisation from late 1970's to 2003.
For the latter part of his career at White Hall, he became Deputy
Principal, before leaving in 1998 to set up his own business,
'Dave Edwards & Associates'which continues to provide a wide
range of exciting outdoor programmes for colleges, schools, corporate
businesses and youth groups.
In April 2004, Dave was diagnosed
with small-cell lung cancer. Over the spring & summer,
he responded well to a 6 session chemotherapy treatment and in
the autumn was back running courses, enjoying a Derbyshire biking
holiday and Sardinian climbing with his two sons. |
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Mid November saw him canoeing with friends and colleagues in
Scotland, but sadly in December the cancer regained its hold
and he died peacefully on 27th January 2005.
Dave's amazing ability to inspire love of the outdoors in others
and encourage them to push their boundaries is evident in the
many stories
people recount. He organised caving trips to the Vercors, canoe
tobogganing on winter slopes and many intriguing problem solving challenges
for friends and clients! He was always determined to live life
to the full and the always positive and courageous way he faced his final
challenge was typical of his philosophy, 'Always look on the bright side'
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Colin Higginson
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Age 45, I have been climbing from the age of 15,
having lived in Derbyshire for the whole of my life, living in
the village of Danesmore. I have been an Outdoor Instructor
for the last 20 years, working primarily with children with disabilities,
and underprivileged backgrounds.
I was diagnosed with Testicular Cancer in 2001 whilst climbing
in Spain, where the cancer was operated on and removed, to be
sent back to the UK to receive Chemotherapy, where I am still
receiving treatment.
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Don Mabbs |
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Age 46, I am Irish, and a climber. I have been
climbing since I was 15 years old. I am a Qualified Teacher
and Outdoor Instructor, teaching adventure activities. My
focus in Outdoor education has been accessing adventure activities
for disabled people, having been a head of an Outdoor Centre in
the Peak District, (Dukes Barn), for the last nine years.
I was diagnosed with a Thymic tumour in April 2002, whilst climbing
in America, resulting in surgery and radiotherapy in the UK.
Believing the cancer was beaten I was given a terminal diagnosis
with a Thymic tumour and Secondary Lung Cancer in October 2004.
I continue to lead an active lifestyle whilst health permits. |
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In May 2007 Don achieved his great ambition of climbing El Capitan
in Yosemite, and in September he ascended 'Lurking Fear' on Washington
Column, also in Yosemite.
In December, Don died at home, amongst his family and friends. An
inspiration to us all.
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Dawn Hopkinson
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"My name is Dawn Hopkinson and I am 58 years
old. I have lived and worked in Derbyshire for thirty years,
I am a keen mountaineer, climber and fell runner.
In July 2003 I was diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer. I
had had no real symptoms and had been climbing and fell running
the week before my diagnosis!
After major surgery and a course of chemotherapy along with
complimentary therapies I achieved a partial remission. However
I have now had a reoccurrence of cancer and have recently restarted
a course of chemotherapy as well as continuing with all my complimentary
therapies."
Sadly, Dawn died peacefully on December 9th 2005.
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Joan Williams
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I developed Breast Cancer at the age of 36 and had
a full mastectomy followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. I
have now been free of cancer for over ten years.
My involvement in the outdoors is through working at two outdoor
centres in the Peak District, although this work is office based! I
provide the sole administrative support to both centres.
As my 40th birthday approached I took up fell running in the
Peak District and completed my first race as a lady vet! I
didn't finish in the front few but wasn't last either.
Through work I have had the opportunity to try climbing and
caving, and in the last couple of years have become addicted
to skiing.
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