Local breast cancer survivor completes charity trek to Peru

Press release For immediate release: 17 May 2010 Press contact: Katie Power, 020 7749 3720 kpower@breastcancercampaign.org Local breast cancer survivor completes charity trek to Peru An adventurous fundraiser from Oxford has successfully completed the challenge of a lifetime by trekking to the ancient Incan city of Machu Picchu, Peru, in support of Breast Cancer Campaign. IT Director Jacqui Wheeler, 49, from Cowley, took part in the challenge from 23 April – 2 May and so far her challenge has raised a fantastic £2,492 to help the charity beat breast cancer. Jacqui decided to take part in Campaign’s trek to Peru after being diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2008. She had previously taken part in the charity’s Great Wall of China trek in 2007 so decided to take on a new challenge to celebrate recovering from the disease. Jacqui said “It was tougher than I expected and the impact of being at high altitude was extraordinary, so I’m glad I put so much effort into my training in preparation as it meant I could really appreciate the maginificent scenery around me. The challenge truly was an opportunity of a lifetime and I enjoyed every moment. Ive always wanted to see Machu Picchu and I was overawed by how amazing it was. “This challenge was a chance for me to celebrate being given a second chance and give something back for all the treatment I’ve received. I’m really proud to have raised so much money to help Breast Cancer Campaign continue funding vital breast cancer research.” Jacqui is planning to raise even more money for the charity by taking part in an overseas challenge every two years and has already got her sights on tackling Kilimanjaro in 2012. If you’ve been inspired by Jacqui’s story and would like to take on your own challenge to Machu Picchu, Peru, for Breast Cancer Campaign please call 020 7749 3700, email treks@breastcancercampaign.org or visit breastcancercampaign.org ENDS Picture caption: Jacqui Wheeler at Machu Picchu Notes to editors • Breast Cancer Campaign aims to beat breast cancer by funding innovative world-class research to understand how breast cancer develops, leading to improved diagnosis, treatment, prevention and cure • Currently it supports 113 research projects, worth over £17 million, in 40 centres of excellence across the UK and Ireland • Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK and accounts for nearly one in three of all cancers in women • In the UK, nearly 46,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed each year - that’s 125 a day • Visit www.breastcancercampaign.org • Read Chief Executive Pamela Goldberg’s blog http://pamelagoldbergblog.blogspot.com/

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