As many of you know, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer in February 2024, with possible metastasis to my liver and lungs. Since last February, I have received six sessions of chemotherapy with immunotherapy, a bilateral mastectomy, and 14 sessions of radiation. I am continuing to receive life-saving immunotherapy every three weeks, and hopefully will continue for the rest of my life. (If you want to hear more about my journey – you can check out this video Northwestern Medicine put together, or this interview and video I did with Chicagoans that Bike!)

Now that my body and mind have had time to heal, I have been looking for ways to connect with other young cancer survivors and thrivers. I was lucky enough to be selected to attend a 6-night backcountry canoeing trek for adolescent and young adult cancer survivors in Red Rocks Utah on the Green River this September with True North Treks. This trek includes yoga and mindfulness meditation, along with being surrounded by the healing power of nature. I am very excited and so grateful to have been chosen.

True North Treks is an absolutely incredible organization, focused on connecting survivors to nature, peers, and oneself. They don’t ask for us to pay for anything on the trip (flights, food, guides, tents, canoes are all covered!), but they do ask that we fundraise to pay-it-forward for another survivor to be able to attend. I would be so grateful if you would consider donating to my fundraiser so another cancer survivor can experience one of their treks in the future. I already know how restorative and life-changing this trip will be for me.

Thank you so much!

-Christina