IN JULY, Wokingham fundraiser Dalia embarked on a challenging three-day trek through Iceland.
It proved to be so difficult that some on the trip had to drop out.
But Dalia Ismail kept going to the end on her 60 km journey through volcanic landscapes, icy rivers, and unrelenting rain, for breast cancer charity, CoppaFeel!
“Our opening day, a 12-hour trek, proved to be a trial by fire, or rather, ice,” she said.
“Pummelled by heavy rain and fierce winds for six hours straight, we endured hypothermic conditions, and by lunchtime many of us were wet to the bone, shivering, and exhausted.”
Conditions were so severe that several participants required rescue by Iceland’s mountain teams.
“We had already climbed the height of Snowdon, but still had another six hours of trekking ahead of us,” she said.
“And by day’s end, we had climbed the equivalent of Ben Nevis — plus an extra eight kilometres.
“One experienced trek leader remarked that in his 28 years of guiding expeditions, this was among the toughest days he had ever experienced.
“The mental resilience it takes to keep pushing through, showed the determination of the group,” Dalia said.
Dalia and 56 other trekkers were led by two team captains, Pete Wicks and Vicky Pattison, and Coppafeel patron Giovanna Fletcher.
Daily life for the group offered little respite.
Each morning began with dismantling tents, preparing packed lunches, and setting off to the next campsite.
“Evenings involved pitching camp, eating a well-earned dinner, and readying gear for the next day,” she explained.
“With constant rain soaking through clothing and kit, keeping anything dry was almost impossible.
“Pete was an amazing captain to our team.
“The trek was really tough, and he helped bring humour, didn’t hesitate to wade through freezing rivers to help everyone cross safely, and even carried people’s rucksacks.
“He was a real powerhouse, which was exactly what we needed.”
Despite the intense physical and mental strain, Dalia completed the challenge.
She has raised more than £4,000 for CoppaFeel! this year, and more than £12,000 in the last year, and is now one of the charity’s top fundraisers.
“I’m really proud of this,” she said.
“The money will help ensure younger women don’t face delayed diagnoses, and will improve outcomes for those diagnosed at a younger age.
“That’s what kept me going through the toughest moments.”
Dalia was herself diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago.
But despite having undergone surgery and cancer treatment, she has climbed the Himalayas, been a catwalk model, organised a series of Wokingham fundraising events, and has now braved the worst that Icelandic weather can throw at her.
Receiving her diagnosis in her early 30s, Dalia was years younger than most breast cancer patients, and one of a large number of young people unaware that cancer doesn’t only affect older patients.
Since her diagnosis she has campaigned, advocated and fundraised to support research and education of the disease.
Coppafeel! wants to stamp out late diagnosis of breast cancer by making sure that young people are regularly checking their breasts and chests, and getting to know their bodies in order to have the confidence to see a GP if something doesn’t feel normal.
For information, visit: coppafeel.org
