British woman with incurable cancer sets a new world record for Atlantic crossing
Kat Cordiner is the first person to tackle this challenge as a cancer patient
Last updated 24th Jan 2022
Kat Cordiner, who has secondary ovarian cancer along with three other British women, have broken the world record for rowing across the Atlantic.
It is thought Ms Cordiner is the first person to tackle this challenge as a cancer patient. She said:
"The doctors have told me I don't have decades, I have years, so I really want to make the most of them"
Ms Cordiner, 42, Ms Charlotte Irving, 31, and Ms Abby Johnston, 32, set off on a 25ft boat - called Dolly Parton - rowing two hours on and two hours off continuously and unsupported.
The women raised money for Cancer Research UK, Macmillan Cancer Support and The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
They completed the 3,000-mile crossing from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to English Harbour in 42 days, seven hours and 17 minutes, knocking an astonishing seven days off the female trio record in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge.
As they stepped onto land for the first time since December 12, they said they felt:
"wobbly, overwhelmed and happy"
Money is still pouring in and the women hope to raise £100,000 to be shared between the three cancer charities.
Simon Ledsham, Director of Fundraising for Cancer Research UK said: "We are in awe” of “the dream” the women have achieved.
“Kat is an inspiration to thousands of other people facing their own cancer journey”
He is grateful in their support for “highlighting the need for more funding to develop better and kinder treatments for all types of cancer."
Ms Cordiner was "distraught" when diagnosed with cervical cancer in March 2019, she underwent a radical hysterectomy. After the surgery, all seemed well. But in June 2020, she began experiencing stomach pains and knew instantly the cancer was back.
And after an exhausting intensive cancer treatment, heart surgery and six months without training, she got back in the boat.
Ms Cordiner said:
"It floored me a bit initially, but when I got back in the boat, I was quite strong - I knew I could do it"
She added:
"The doctors have told me I don't have decades, I have years, so I really want to make the most of them. Due to the improvement on the treatment available "you can live your life with cancer. People live for years on treatment."
To donate to Cancer Research UK, Macmillan Cancer Support and the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, head to the We Are ExtraOARdinary Go Fund Me page.
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