Sean isn't just a cancer survivor; he is truly a medical marvel. He is the only person in the world ever to have been diagnosed with both Hodgkin's Disease and Askin's Sarcoma. He was diagnosed in the fourth and final stage of Hodgkin's Disease at the young age of 13 when doctors expected him to live for no more than 3 months. A determined young man, he overcame his illness only to be stricken a second time when a deadly golf ball-sized tumor attacked his right lung. After removal of the Askin's tumor, Sean was expected to live for less than two weeks. Now, a decade later and with only partial use of his lungs, Sean is accomplishing things that most would never dream possible.
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Through some of the harshest, and most inclement weather environments in the world, Sean has continued to thrive. If there is anyone who can truly test the limits of the human spirit and overcome the world's most difficult obstacles, it is Sean Swarner.
Sean plans to continue enveloping the world with enduring adventures and inspiration. He continues to be active when it comes to both life and cancer awareness. Sean now delivers inspirational speeches around the world, yet he isn't finished with his magnificent feats! His new goal is to become only the fifth person in history to accomplish the "Adventure Grand Slam," which consists of not only climbing to the peak of the tallest mountain on each of the earth's seven continents, but also trekking to both the North and South Poles. He will also, of course, become the first cancer survivor to complete this incredible endeavor.This seems like a daunting task, but he is well on his way. Sean returned to the United States in June of 2003 after climbing both Kilimanjaro (Africa) and Elbrus (Europe) in less than 10 days! On the summit of each peak, Sean is never alone. Every single person affected by cancer is with him in his heart and spirit.
On the summit of Everest he brought a flag with names of those affected by cancer and left it on the top of the world forever commemorating the struggle of cancer patients world-wide. On each and every other peak, a flag bearing the following words are always near Sean's heart in his chest pocket: "Dedicated to all those affected by cancer in this small world!! Keep climbing!!"
Sean's successful summit of Mt. Everest was driven not only by his goal to reach the highest peak in the world, but to use his accomplishment as a way to spread cancer awareness. Sean's incredible perseverance through cancer and even a brush with death on Everest caused by HACE (High Altitude Cerebral Edema) led to his determination to serve as a voice for cancer survivors worldwide.
By showing those affected by cancer how he has conquered some of the most difficult obstacles life could offer, Sean hopes to give others the will to live. He believes cancer patients can and do recover, and hopes his story will inspire those touched by cancer to dream big and never give up. Despite life's setbacks, Sean believes those dreams are always in reach.
Sean believes, "The human body can accomplish anything the mind can dream, and climbing Everest remained my dream."
Sean's incredible life-altering experience is something he compares to the obstacles of a mountain climb. "I'm committed to shouting from the roof tops that there is hope for the hopeless, and miracles up and down the sides of whatever mountains people are climbing in their life."
Anyone who knows him knows that Sean is never satisfied. His biggest problem won't be success in accomplishing the "Adventure Grand Slam." It will be figuring out how to top it!
If you are interested in ordering Sean's book, you can go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Climbing-Sean-Swarner/dp/07432920
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