“There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up, and the Everest Base Camp challenge does just that!”
Imagine a Redditch born and bred, British Pathan Pakistani based in Arizona, working for Roche at it’s Global Cancer Diagnostics Headquarters (Roche Tissue Diagnostics) as an International Product Manager. Now imagine her alter-ego: a plane flying, canyon hiking, marathon running philanthropic soul with an insatiable passion for travel and pushing her own limits. This is Tasneem Ahmed, who also enjoys sedentary hobbies like baking novelty cakes!
Tasneem will be one of the first women to take Imran Khan’s cancer appeal to the base of the tallest mountain on earth. She’s now training for the big challenge in October.
“I feel very honoured to be taking part!” says Tasneem. “To be able to contribute on this level to the charity is heart warming and makes me feel I am really pushing myself physically to help those cancer patients in need.”
“In December 2017, when I saw the advert for the challenge, I did not hesitate to sign up,” explains Tasneem, who loves to travel and has always had the Himalayas on her Travel List. “This was my once in a lifetime opportunity to raise such a large amount for IKCA, and realise my dream of visiting the Himalayas. I also felt that my daily fitness routine could be used to its advantage in training for the challenge, as it’s not easy to maintain the motivation with a 6am running routine. Having a goal to focus on makes training much more fun!”
Tasneem says she’s always been a fan of Imran Khan, ever since she used to watch the Pakistan cricket Test Matches as a child. Though this was only part of the reason why she’s felt a deeper connection for the work of IKCA.
“As my career took shape and I started working in the cancer diagnosis field,” she explain, “it was heart wrenching to know that people could not afford to get diagnosed for cancer, let alone receive appropriate treatment. It was only natural then that I came to support IKCA. After all, this is a charity that supports the under privileged cancer patients in my home country.”
When asked what she looks forward to most about the Everest Base Camp Challenge, Tasneem says she’s most interested in sharing the experience with people who have the same vision as her: Helping those in need. “It’s not often in life you can bring a team of strangers together expecting them to get on in an environment which will require vital mental focus, team collaboration and agility.” she says. “I am eager to participate in this real life study which will no doubt result in long lasting friendships.”
When asked what advice she has for others who might be thinking about taking part in one of IKCA’s challenges, Tasneem has this to say:
“There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up, and the Everest Base Camp challenge does just that! In preparation for it you will embark on a fitness routine that you never thought your body was able to endure.”
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