Toronto breast cancer survivor climbs Mount Kilimanjaro to mark remission

Tarot Stephens, a Toronto woman who completed treatment for breast cancer, marked her final year of remission by completing an eight-day climb of Mount Kilimanjaro that ended on World Cancer Day while raising funds for Rethink Breast Cancer.

Tarot Stephens turned the completion of cancer treatment into a personal milestone by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to mark her final year of remission. She was first diagnosed at age 29 with grade three invasive ductal carcinoma and underwent chemotherapy, a double mastectomy and reconstruction. Stephens is now 34 and will take menopause-inducing medication for at least five years. She travelled to Tanzania on Jan. 28 and completed the climb on Feb. 4, which coincided with World Cancer Day. Key details: - Stephens described the trip as an eight-day solo expedition that she completed from Jan. 28 to Feb. 4 and said it concluded on World Cancer Day. - Her original diagnosis at 29 was grade three invasive ductal carcinoma; treatments included multiple rounds of chemotherapy, a double mastectomy and reconstruction, plus ongoing medication for at least five years. - Mount Kilimanjaro stands at 5,895 metres, is the highest free-standing mountain in the world and is one of the Seven Summits. - Stephens completed the climb despite recent knee surgery and wore braces on both knees during the trek. - She said she was accompanied by a guide named Winny and porters, and used the climb to raise awareness and funds for Rethink Breast Cancer. Summary: The climb served as a personal celebration of remission and a way to raise awareness and funds for young people facing breast cancer. Stephens said she hopes to continue travelling and mentioned Everest base camp as a future goal, but added she needs time for her joints to recover.