Issaquah High School Freshman Takes on the Himalayan Giant to Spotlight Cancer in Underserved Communities

Raising Awareness Through Global Oncology Advocacy

In early March, Angira Shah, a freshman at Issaquah High School, laced up her hiking boots and set off on a 68-mile trek through the rugged Himalayan foothills of Nepal. Her destination: Annapurna Base Camp, one of the most iconic and challenging routes in the world. Angira joined the journey as part of a fundraising expedition organized by Binaytara, a global oncology nonprofit working to improve cancer care in underserved communities.

Shah’s connection to Nepal runs deep. As the daughter of Binaytara’s co-founders, Tara Shah and Dr. Binay Shah, and former intern at Binaytara, Angira reflected on how her perception of Nepal has transformed since embarking on this long and arduous journey, stating, “I always had a very strong connection to Nepal, but I realized I only knew Janakpur, where our family’s hospital is located.”

Summiting Annapurna: A Journey of Purpose and Resilience

Annapurna is a principal mountain massif in the Himalayas of north-central Nepal. It is the tenth-highest mountain in the world at 26,545 feet above sea level. A total of 12 participants, including Angira, embarked on a 68-mile trek to Annapurna Base Camp, reaching an elevation of 4,130 meters (13,550 feet). During the trek, Angira navigated the winding terrain, climbing steep stairs nestled among the hills, followed by sharp downhill sections that posed plenty of tripping hazards. After seven days, when Angira crested the final ridge and gazed up at the towering Annapurna massif, “it felt surreal, like stepping into a painting,” she said. “The sense of accomplishment is something I will carry with me forever.”

Angira celebrating her triumph with the group at Annapurna Base Camp

From the Mountains to the Mission: Binaytara’s Cancer Screenings

After spending days in the frigid mountain air, Angira traveled with a group of oncologists to Janakpur to visit the Binaytara Cancer Center and volunteered at the annual Binaytara health camp. She helped guide patients with breast abnormalities to Dr. Mark Pegram, a Stanford breast cancer physician, and had the opportunity to shadow a hospitalist, Dr. Sherri Zhu, who performed cervical cancer screenings. She was taken aback by the turnout and the number of cancer diagnoses made during the camp that would have otherwise gone undetected. She shared, “This led me to better understand the prevalence of cancer in Nepal and the urgency for proper cancer care.”

Fundraising to Build a Future of Equitable Cancer Care

Before the trip, Angira launched a fundraiser to help support the construction of a 200-bed comprehensive cancer center that will provide life-saving care to 25 million people in southern Nepal and the Indian state of Bihar. She shared a powerful reflection based on her experience of healthcare in the region: “A cancer diagnosis should not be a death sentence; the construction of the new hospital will be a source of hope for many people and will save the lives of thousands every year. The fact that people do not have access to treatments for chronic illnesses or the education to prevent them because of where they live is very wrong, and supporting the construction of this hospital can help change this for people in Nepal.”

Youth Leadership in Global Oncology and Public Health

Angira has been passionate about Binaytara’s mission to reduce cancer disparities. In the summer of 2024, she volunteered as an intern in the organization’s marketing and communications department, helping to shape narratives that combat cancer myths and raise awareness about the disease. Speaking about her efforts, Binaytara’s Senior Marketing and Communications Manager, Matt Lambert, stated, “Angie jumped in and helped our team with research, writing, and social media last summer and was a great teammate to everyone here.” This internship allowed her to gain a better understanding of the complexity and scale of achieving a broad goal like creating equitable healthcare.

Exploring the Future of Tech-Driven Cancer Solutions

After high school, Angira mentioned that she plans to pursue a career that integrates technology and healthcare to improve the way care is delivered. “My experiences with Binaytara, including these mission trips with the goal of increasing access to healthcare, inspired me to impact the world in a positive way through the health field,” she said.

One path she is exploring is the physicianeer program offered at a few U.S. medical schools, a choice influenced by what she witnessed in Nepal. During her trip, Angira saw firsthand the widespread need for healthcare across the country and believes technology can play a major role in expanding access for millions.

Angira Shah at Annapurna Base Camp