Bhubaneswar: Swagatika Acharya, a native of Bidanasi in Cuttack, is one among the eight cancer survivors who scaled 11,830 feet atop Dayara Bugyal in Uttarakhand.
The trek was part of the “Peak to Peak — Winning over Cancer” expedition organised by Apollo Cancer Centers in partnership with IndiaHikes. It was a display of courage, endurance and confidence by the persons who have won the battle with cancer.
Aged between 24 and 71, the group was accompanied by two senior oncologists including Dr Sanjay Ku Mishra from Apollo Hospitals, Bhubaneswar.
Swagatika, who was accompanied by her father Manoranjan Acharya, was the youngest among the trekkers.
“Cancer couldn’t stop me because i Wanted to. It was moment i shouted I Did It. Its You who define yourself & I Redefined It,”[sic] she tweeted after conquering Dayaru Bugyal.
Swagatika was struck with cancer Nasopharynx (the upper part of the pharynx, connecting with the nasal cavity above the soft palate) at the age of 19 when she was pursuing law.
The battle with cancer took her three years. She won against the disease and is now an inspiration for many. She has founded the AwAAkeN Cancer Trust that is working for betterment of Cancer Fighters across Odisha.
