Karine Forest

I'm alive, I'm still here. I can't complain, I have no right to, on behalf of those I've known and lost to cancer in recent years.

Breast cancer survivor
Challenge Against Cancer participant since 2016

Doing a Challenge Against Cancer for yourself

July 16, 2014

My life changed drastically. I had just turned 36 and at the time my children were 3 and 5. The surgeon, feeling uncomfortable, told me I had triple-negative breast cancer. It was aggressive and progressing rapidly. Within a month, it had grown from the size of a pea to the size of an egg, and my lymph nodes were affected. My chances of living? He couldn’t say. The only thing he would say that would give me a little hope was “the carrots aren’t cooked yet” …

September 9, 2014

As I sat in the waiting room to receive my first chemotherapy treatment, I saw across from me, on the wall, a poster from the Cancer Research Society (CRS). I stood up, curious, and read the poster. A photo of Stéphane Rousseau, the spokesperson at the time, promoting “challenges” in various countries. The Inca Trail in Peru attracted me like a magnet.

During the 3 months of my chemotherapy, I’d sit in the same place and visualize this same poster. During the same period, I’d be receiving an experimental treatment. I am deeply convinced that it has saved my life. I finished my chemotherapy treatments on December 19, 2014 and soon after, I finally decided to call the CRS for more information.

I’d have to raise $9,000, which are to be donated to the CRS to fund various cancer research projects. In exchange, the participant must take on a physical challenge, walking for a few days with a level of difficulty ranging from intermediate to advanced. Generally, the participant walks in memory or in honor of his or her cancer hero. In my case, I decided to walk for me, for my survival and rehabilitation.

I’d never walked before, and I still had to undergo various operations and radiotherapy treatments. “Bah,” I said to myself,” I can do it! ”

My fundraising, which I was so afraid of, went beyond my expectations! I ended up raising $16,000, a surplus of $7,000!

The first Challenge

The trip to Peru in November 2016 was a real pilgrimage for me. I was recovering from an operation that didn’t go very well. The implant had to be removed because my skin couldn’t cope with the fragility caused by radiotherapy. I was back where I started, but still smiling. A challenge that would push me beyond my limits and take me to the end of myself. A 35 km walk, over 4 days, through mountains and jungle to finally bring us to the mythical Machu Picchu. We slept in tents and all meals were prepared by a fantastic team of cooks.

The adventure continues

After this trip, which was so revealing for me, I decided to sign up for a 2nd Challenge. (The CRS allows participants who have a surplus to transfer it to another Challenge). This time, I chose the Laugavegur trek in Iceland, for which the sum to be raised was $10,000. I had my surplus of $7,000, so I needed to raise $3,000 more. My campaign continued strongly, and once again accumulated a surplus.

So, I was off to Iceland in June 2018. This trip would be different in every way, but oh so profound and rejuvenating. A 136 km walk over 6 days, including a single day of 36 km in 13 hours. Iceland’s temperature is constantly changing, so it was a real challenge! We walked for 12 hours in the pouring rain on a single day, and had to cross 3 icy rivers. When we got to the end of the day, we had to put up our wet tent, our damp mattress, not to mention our clothes that wouldn’t dry overnight… The temperature really tried our patience! But it was such a wonderful trip in spite of everything.

I’m alive, I’m still here. I can’t complain, I have no right to, on behalf of those I’ve known and lost to cancer in recent years.

Good things come in threes

My 3rd Challenge was to walk on the ‘roof of the world’ in India, in the Himalayas in June 2023. Another spiritual journey, as the Ladakh region where we hiked is predominantly Buddhist. The people are extremely welcoming and respectful, despite the simplicity of their lives.

Altitude was the challenge this time. Breathless, we had to walk slowly, one step at a time. As we climbed to the highest peak of our trip, at 4,250 metres, our guide explained that we shouldn’t look forward, but rather back, to admire how far we’ve come.

The arrival at the summit was very emotional. We were a group of 19 participants accompanied by 3 guides. It was noisy as we celebrated the climb, but someone suggested 5 minutes of silence. Everyone scattered, each choosing a place at the summit. It was a moment of fulfillment that completed me. I sat down and closed my eyes. I literally savored the wind on my face. There was a complete void that surrounded us, because at this altitude, there is no sound at all. I was grateful to be there to experience the moment.

Next stop: Morocco

A 4th Challenge for me, crossing the Sahara Desert in Morocco in March 2024.

For me, this was the most difficult. Factors such as the sun, the heat, walking in the sand and the accumulation of long distances over 8 days really pushed me to my limits. However, despite the difficulty, it was a wonderful trip: sleeping in the desert, admiring the starry sky, and immersing myself in the nomadic culture and life of the desert people. The dunes as far as the eye can see are indescribable.

I’m often asked which Challenge was my favorite, but it’s impossible for me to pick one. Each Challenge has its own particularities, and each Challenge has given me something different, both in terms of the experience and the encounters I have made.

One thing’s for sure: I don’t dream any more… I act! Before my cancer, I watched the train go by; now, I’m taking the train and going straight ahead.

The Challenge is a great way to contribute to cancer research while challenging yourself physically, whether for yourself or in memory of a loved one. As someone who has benefited from experimental treatment, I believe deeply in research and its benefits.

I’ll be doing my 5th and final Challenge in 2026. I’m waiting to see where it takes me. Then, after 10 years with the CRS, I’ll be bowing out as a participant, but I’ll remain an ambassador and continue to support this cause so dear to me.