Five women who overcame cancer conquered Antarctica in the tenth edition of the Reto Pelayo Vida. Departing from Ushuaia, they sailed across the Drake Passage aboard the yacht El Doblón, facing extreme conditions. They visited the Gabriel de Castilla Base and Cuverville Island, home to gentoo penguins, and planted the challenge’s flag on the white continent. Surrounded by glaciers and icebergs, they demonstrated that no adversity—not even cancer—can stop the strength of the human spirit. This challenge marked the tenth anniversary of the project, symbolizing resilience and perseverance, and inspiring others to conquer their own limits.
The Reto Pelayo Vida celebrates its tenth anniversary with a unique expedition to Antarctica, the coldest, driest, and windiest place on Earth. After 14 days of sailing aboard a 39-ton schooner, the team will depart from Ushuaia, crossing the Drake Passage to reach the Antarctic continent. This will be the first Spanish expedition to Antarctica composed exclusively of women who have survived cancer. The five expedition members, selected from 538 candidates across 11 countries, will undertake this challenge from November 22 to December 18, 2024. The Reto Pelayo Vida is the largest sports project raising awareness about women’s cancer, promoting the importance of research, early detection, and exercise during and after the disease.
Antarctica, an extreme continent with temperatures below -50°C and relentless winds, symbolizes resilience in the face of adversity. For the five women of the Reto Pelayo Vida 2024, this expedition is more than just a journey—it’s a message of overcoming and determination. Facing the harshest environment on Earth, they challenge the limits of nature and highlight the importance of research, early detection, and physical activity in the fight against cancer. This expedition celebrates a decade of epic challenges, proving that there are no limits for those who dream and fight for a better future, inspiring millions to keep moving forward.
This means that there is not much research, and therefore, there are not many treatments to fight it. This is very frightening, especially during the diagnostic phase. Also, because it is rare, general practitioners don't often encounter it, which leads to delays in diagnosis.
Born in Seville
Marketing
From the frustration and helplessness at the beginning, and the "why me" phase, I moved to understanding that the illness is part of life and a lesson in humility, and that the only thing in your control is the attitude with which you face it.
Born in Ávila
Pharmacist
There is a before and after my illness. Now I know what is important and what is secondary, what I should worry about and what I shouldn't spend even a minute on.
Born in Madrid
Technician at the Ombudsman's Office
One learns from cancer. It’s a bad but transformative experience for the patient and for everyone around her.
Born in Zaragoza
Executive Assistant
The risk of relapse and metastasis that my type of tumor carries is always there, and it will accompany me for the rest of my life. But paradoxically, this makes me even more determined to live life to the fullest, and this challenge means exactly that: living life to the fullest and sending a message of hope and strength to other women.
Born in Madrid
Technical Architect
Born in Castellón, she has sailed over 55,000 nautical miles, completed three Atlantic crossings, two Pacific crossings, and three Antarctic expeditions, as well as numerous voyages lasting over a month.
Passionate about exploration, she frequently participates in conferences and shares her adventures in an engaging and educational way through her blog, Allende los Mares. She is also the founder of the astronomical voyage Stella Oceani and the nautical event Encuentro de Navegantes.
For sailing, she recommends: “Having a good attitude, adaptability, and patience. You need to stay alert almost 24 hours a day, as the rhythm is dictated by the weather, the condition of the vessel, and the crew. Changes are constant. In return, the personal growth is indescribable. Every day you learn and grow as a person.”
