Adventure mom starts her charity climb of Mount Kilimanjaro
After losing her colon to cancer, Lerato Monyatsi from Krugersdorp will begin her charity climb of Mount Kilimanjaro on June 2 and aims to reach her peak, in triumph, in eight days.
Lerato Monyatsi, 41, founder of the SkirtGirlHiker Foundation NPO aims to restore dignity to ostomy and cancer patients by conquering mountains and hiking with purpose.
In 2020 while many lives were shaken by the Covid-19 pandemic, Lerato was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer. This meant receiving immediate medical attention and undergoing multiple surgeries as well as chemotherapy and radiation. Through this journey, Lerato also became a permanent ostomate after losing her colon to cancer and faced exorbitant medical costs. Still to this day, she requires costly medical supplies and ongoing treatment.
Lerato’s serious health battle made her realise the harsh reality that many South Africans lack access to basic medical care, and thus she founded her organisation.
After I confronted this stage 3 colorectal cancer mountain and survived it, I felt the urgent need to create awareness about this type of cancer and what being an ostomate means. Being an avid multi-day hiker I felt my ostomy gave me another chance at living life to the fullest while making an impact on the lives of those less fortunate,” said Lerato.
New heights
With a mandate to close the care gap and raise funds for the medical treatment, supplies and mental wellness of colorectal cancer patients and stoma patients, Lerato aims to summit the rooftop of Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro at 5 895m. Lerato, who is an avid explorer and adventurer, will begin her charity climb on June 2, and aims to reach her peak, in triumph, in eight days.
I have been so anxious to share the news because this journey feels so surreal and the purpose is bigger than me. Nothing carries more potential for change than individual acts of human kindness,” said Lerato.
Through a crowd-funding campaign launched on BackaBuddy, Lerato hopes to raise R20 000 or more for her foundation. Since the launch of the campaign eight donors have made kind contributions to the value of R2 400.
“Join hands with us as we make an impact on the lives of South Africa’s stoma and cancer patients. You can make a difference now. Now more than ever, your support means everything. Thousands of people like you help us stand up and move mountains to restore the dignity of South Africans, one community, one cancer patient and one ostomate at a time,” she concluded.
Support Lerato on BackaBuddy here; alternatively, donate via SnapScan: https://pos.snapscan.io/qr/SkirtGirlHikerFoundation.
