Last month I celebrated 10 years of being a cancer survivor (!!!) by participating in a True North Trek for patients who had been diagnosed as a young adult (18-39) and are now in their 40s and 50s.

This 100% hosted mindfulness and wilderness experience fosters connection with nature, with other survivors, and with oneself. It was a blast! And now I have the opportunity to ask for your support in fulfilling my “Pay it Forward” pledge so other survivors may enjoy future treks as part of their healing journey.

For me, this trek was an amazing opportunity to enjoy a favorite area of the country (shout out to Gitche Gumee aka Lake Superior) and practice my new mindfulness skills while bonding with other people who just “get it.” This last part was the most valuable for me, because a lot of people are under the false impression that life goes back to normal when cancer treatment is completed.

Far from it.

Survivorship is a blessing, but it is also a life-long sentence.

For the body parts that are damaged by the treatment and don’t work, or work well, anymore.

For the limitations your new body places on your career and your ability to enjoy your favorite pastimes like travel, concerts, being in the woods for days.

For the guilt of not feeling grateful enough for being alive even as you grieve little losses every day.

To paraphrase my oncologist, modern medicine is really great at getting rid of the cancer, but it’s not so great at treating the aftermath. Programs like True North Treks provide an amazing resource for us survivors to be seen, feel understood, and build community for our journeys of navigating a life altered in so many ways. I have already learned so much from, and been able to share much with, my new trek friends, and I am hoping you will consider supporting this wonderful organization.

As for the experience itself, words won’t do it justice, so I am including some photos to show just how special this time was. Please join me in making this possible for another survivor in the future. Thank you!