A DOCTOR who survived bone cancer as a teenager will climb almost 14,000ft into the Peruvian Andes to raise money to help fellow sufferers.
Dr Anthea Martin, who has a PhD in cancer research, will trek to the ancient Inca settlement of Machu Picchu in Peru at the end of September.
The 60-mile adventure will take more than a week to complete as Anthea and a team of 40 fundraisers need to acclimatize to the high altitude and rough terrain of the Andes, almost three miles above sea-level.
The 29-year-old was diagnosed with bone cancer when she was just 14 and had to endure a year of chemotherapy and sessions of radio therapy as she battled against the illness.
Anthea, who is single and lives on Paradise Street in Macclesfield, said: "Before I was diagnosed I didn't even think that children could get cancer, but I had a swelling on my leg and after several trips to the doctor I was told it was a tumor. I lost all my hair through the chemotherapy, which isn't the best when you're 14, and I also missed about nine months of school.
"When you think about cancer you think it's terminal, so I was very concerned, but the nurses and doctors on the unit where I was treated were so positive and my family and friends were so supportive that they helped me win the mental battle. I was lucky because there is a 70 per cent survival rate for the type of cancer I had.
"The experience inspired me to help others so I studied for the PhD and am now doing this fundraising trek. I've been training in the gym but the weather is improving so I'm going to get out into the Peak District for some long walks. I've always wanted to go to Machu Picchu, it's just one of those special places, so I can't wait until September."
Now Anthea, who works as a medical writer for Macclesfield's Thomson Gardiner-Caldwell Communications, must raise the minimum £3,000 sponsorship by mid-July.
She is donating the money to Cancer Research UK: the world's leading charity dedicated to research on the causes, treatment and prevention of cancer, which has a team of more than 3,000 scientists and doctors in the UK.
"I've got about another £2,000 to raise," she said. "It's a big total, but I'm confident I'll get there with the help of my workmates, family and friends. I've now spent half my life as a survivor of cancer and I want to celebrate this by doing my bit to help the fantastic work of Cancer Research UK."
There will be several fundraising events, including a collection at Macclesfield Town Football Club's home match on May 1 and a James Bond theme evening at the Tytherington Club on June 19. To make a donation or buy tickets call Anthea on 01625 662297.
