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Charleston woman prepares to climb Mt. Everest, helping with cancer fight in process


Charleston woman combines cancer awareness campaign with plan to summit Mount Everest (WCIV)
Charleston woman combines cancer awareness campaign with plan to summit Mount Everest (WCIV)
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Trying to climb Mount Everest would seem like a big enough challenge for most people.

Cokie Berenyi has an even bigger challenge in mind.

The Charleston woman also wants to help raise $1 million. The money will help fund a new mobile health unit for Hollings Cancer Center at MUSC.

Berenyi says she asked herself a question in 2003. It was inspired by a friend battling cancer.

"What do you want to have happen in your life? Like, what does it look like? Where would you be? Who would you be with," Berenyi asked.

She was in the middle of writing out her 'perfect day' when an idea came to mind. She set her sights on climbing seven of the world's highest mountains.

At the time, she had never climbed a mountain in her life.

"And one foot in front of the next for the last 16 years, I've just been one mountain at a time, one step at a time," she said.

Berenyi has climed Mount Elbrus, Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Aconagua, and Mount Denali.

The next mountain on her list is Mount Everest. Berenyi hopes to see the highest summit in the world in May of 2020.

Believe it or not, there's an even bigger mountain Berenyi hopes to help tackle.

"I'm going to climb Everest and all I want from you is to say 'I'm going to get my mammogram this year', she said.

Berenyi has started a campaign called "Everyday Everest."

There are two main goals of the campaigns. One involves money for that new mobile health unit. The other is more about inspiration. She wants one million women to take the pledge that they will put their health first.

"The problem is when you skip those appointments and you don't put yourself first, you get diagnoses at stage 2, 3, or 4 and that is a problem," she said.


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