“The Hardest Part Was Yet to Come”: Tampa Bay Educator’s Inspiring Tale of Overcoming Breast Cancer and Embarking on a Kilimanjaro Adventure

The Tampa Bay resident, Deborah Sickmon, found her life’s purpose in teaching children being part of BayCare about health, safety, and wellness. Little did she know that she would evolve to be an inspiring figure of resilience owing to her fight against her deteriorating health. 

Fighting a long and strenuous battle against stage two breast cancer, Sickmon weaved a tale of courage and recovery by embarking on an adventure to scale the tallest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro. Her dedication to the well-being of others backed up by this charitable move, showcases her remarkable journey. 

A life-changing fundraiser recovering from cancer

It was during the pandemic, that Sickmon’s otherwise perfect life underwent a tragic blow when she started to experience unsettling health signals. This eventually led her to the life-altering diagnosis of stage two breast cancer. However, she was undeterred by the prognosis, Sickmon overcame the arduous battle against the disease by going through 35 rounds of radiation spanning over 8 months.  

In the interview video with ABC Action News, Sickmon gave a glimpse of his deteriorating health, “Didn’t realize that the hardest part was yet to come and that was the recovery from cancer. My body was completely ravaged. I didn’t have the ability to even open a water bottle.”

Grappling with the toll, that the disease had taken on her body, Sickmon embarked on a new journey in search of solace and inspiration, she turned to her happy place Africa. While volunteering at the Pindu Children’s Center, Sickmon found a purpose in helping the orphans paved the next chapter of her life taking up an ambitious climb.

Triumphant climb, Sickmon’s journey from struggle to summit

As compared to the treacherous climb to Kilimanjaro, preparing for the ascent while staying in Florida was even more cumbersome. However, she defied all odds and embarked on her life’s adventure to make a positive difference in society at large and orchestrated her passion for climbing into a life-changing fundraiser. 

Read More: 19-Year-Old Danish Climber Becomes Youngest to Conquer Audacious Ama Dablam Peak While Setting New Records

Sickmon even shared her aim stating, “I’ve met these kids several years and I knew that my little struggle was nothing compared to their daily struggles. So I thought I’m doing it for the kids, I’m doing it for myself, I have a lot of reasons to make this climb.”

Even though, at times, Sickmon was on the verge of giving up, her friends and guide kept on motivating her to move forward. She shared an inspiring view advising others to face the challenge and not succumb to it and keep on taking a step further to improve themselves and become stronger. 

It is with her indomitable spirit and her willingness to overcome obstacles that Deborah Sickmon climbed Kilimanjaro, which serves as a beacon of hope in her resilient journey of life. Her triumphs will continue to inspire others drawing inspiration from her indomitable spirit. 

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