Inspirational speaker

This week’s inspirational speaker was Dr. Shaunna Burke from Addingham, West Yorkshire.  Working at the Leeds University, Shaunna having dedicated her career to researching how exercise can be used in cancer treatment was then herself, in 2024, diagnosed with incurable, stage four breast cancer.  In May 2025 Shaunna completed the Everest Marathon, a gruelling challenge that began at more than 5000m above sea level. Having first climbed Everest in 2005 the Canadian mountaineer is now preparing to return to Everest in 2026 — documenting her journey in the independent film ‘Dying to Climb’ and raising vital funds in support of the Macmillan charity. Shaunna says “Cancer leaves scars, but my spirit still climbs. This story isn’t about defying illness; it’s about redefining what life looks like when you live alongside it”. A truly inspirational story, Shaunna merges science and experience to show that life doesn’t end with diagnosis; it evolves!  To find out more and donate to Shaunna’s fundraising for Macmillan visit https://www.dyingtoclimb.com/ . Photograph shows Dr Shaunna Burke with Knaresborough Rotary President Deborah Wilson.

Next week’s speaker is Andy Dennis, a nurse at Harrogate Hospital, who volunteers with ‘Médecins Sans Frontières’ (Doctors Without Borders).  If you want to hear inspirational speakers and become part of the oldest and most prestigious service club in the world, part of a network of 1.4 million members, in 35,000 clubs in over 200 countries, serving local communities and working on global humanitarian projects, then contact secretary@knaresborough.rotary1040.org