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| Kayak for a Cause |
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| I have always been a healthy and active person. The type of person who is always on the go. So you could imagine how shocked I was when I was diagnosed with stage 3c colon cancer at 26. My friends and I had just begun a month long kayaking adventure in Honduras when I began experiencing severe pains in my abdomen. After a breif stay in the hospital in Honduras, I was flown to my hometown of Birmingham, AL where I underwent surgery to remove a tumor from my colon. During the next six months, I endured 12 treatments of chemotherapy.
It was truly a gift that paddling was in my life when I was faced with this illness. Kayaking really helped me to view the situation in a unique way. It became my analogy for approaching the challenge and gave me the confidence that helped me remain positive, which I believe is the key to surviving anything.
What I was most grateful for was the support from my family, friends and the rest of the whitewater community.
Over 9 months after my flight to Birmingham, my scans are clear, and I am now beginning to get back into my kayak and ready to begin a new adventure.
Stacy Heer, Robin Betz and I are planning on paddling throughout Colorado and California this summer to help raise awareness of the climbing cancer rates among young people, and also raise money to contribute to First Descents. First Descents is an adventure camp for young adults living with cancer. Through kayaking, extreme sports and professional athletes, First Descents offers young adults with cancer outdoor experiences that will forever change their lives. This mission is close to my heart because of the role kayaking has played during my recent battle with colon cancer.
Our trip to California is just the beginning, but I am sure it will help me feel I have stomped down cancer this time in my own way on my own turf. |
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Total Donations: $2,520.00
Goal: $10,000
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