 I am excited to share my week with First Descents, a non-profit that offers the opportunity for cancer fighters and survivors to spend a week at camp: kayaking, horseback riding, yoga, campfires, general fun, etc. Founded by Brad Ludden, Nike pro kayaker, FD is in its 10th year! I have been invited to come and capture the week with photos for the campers and share the experience with our IA community.
This week’s camp session is located at 7W Ranch in Colorado, which is a 360 degree landscape set back away from everything: gorgeous! I met 15 new friends at the Denver airport, led by Smelly, a kayaker free spirit who is running the show for us. When she is not working with FD, she leads adventure tours in Costa Rica- how cool is that?
After designating our nicknames for the week, no legal names allowed, we piled into a short bus and headed to camp. We had a few stops along the way to acclimate to the dramatic change in altitude, which allowed us to find a huge tree house and a few scenic stops (pics below).
In our group of 15 campers, we have people from all over the country, as well as Canada, of both genders and all ages. One thing everyone has in common is cancer. Two women, LOLS and ZILLA (both 25 like me), found that they had the same rare sub-type of Hodgkins and were able to discuss their treatment plans. In IA terms: a perfect 1-on-1 match. Both are under 3 years out of treatment and are living their lives. LOLS is planning to study to be a P.A. and works as an EMT, and ZILLA, recently engaged, is working with cancer charity organizations. Both were diagnosed at stage 3 or above and beat it. Amazing.
Another story came from a woman in her 20s named CANADA: a three time survivor. She was diagnosed with childhood cancer and has continued to fight. She is a few months out of treatment and is here: healthy. I am excited to learn more about her story and the insight that she has learned through her experiences- I can already tell that she is a fighter.
Warrived at camp, met the staff, and I was surprised by a good friend: Jonny Imerman! We had a family style dinner and a campfire where we introduced ourselves. Funny awards were given out, some Chuck Norris jokes were thrown around. Jonny shared his story as a testicular cancer survivor and answered a few questions about 1-on-1 cancer support.
ESPN is here this week, covering FD as well- it is a great place to be. The backdrop here is paradise. I am excited for tomorrow when we hit the water!
“Snaps”
  
Most of you already know that Imerman Angels is a national organization helping cancer fighters, survivors and caregivers all over the great United States of America. But did you know that we are expanding internationally? We have had a influx of calls, emails and online registration submissions from people all over the world.
We have had many survivors and fighters from our neighbors up north in Canada, for some time now. We always welcome the Maple Leafs with our signature hugs and high fives. However, just in the past few weeks we have had fighters, survivors and caregivers contact us from Columbia, Italy and as far away as Australia.
We are proud and honored that our mission is taking flight as people spread their Angel wings far and wide. Our main goal is to help people and that means anywhere and everywhere. From the gorgeous flowers of Bogotá, Columbia, to the Gondolas in Venice, Italy and as far away as the great Barrier Reef of Australia. Cancer had no borders and neither do we.
Needless to say, if you know anyone touched by cancer who would like to get involved – please encourage them to reach out!
Till next time, Adios, Ciao and Good Day Mates.
-Lisa Cristia
 Marcia's Boys Rocking Their IA Gear! “MyLifeLine was founded in 2006 by Marcia Donziger, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1997, when she was 27 years old. The Internet existed at the time, but not with the fullness it does now. She recalls feeling overwhelmed by the volume of concern, during a time when she was struggling to fight the cancer inside her. She couldn’t physically return all the phone calls herself, and found it emotionally draining to repeat the same information about her condition, over and over. She often felt guilty for not staying in better touch with the people who cared about her”.
From her experience, MyLifeLine was born. In a nutshell: MyLifeLine.org is a non-profit organization that provides free, customizable websites to empower cancer patients and caregivers to build an online community of friends and family to foster connection, inspiration and healing.
Each patient website includes 6 pages: Connecting Updates, Inspiring Messages, Helping Calendar, Laughing Medicine, Giving Angels, and Learning Links.
“What makes us unique are that we are 100% focused
on the needs of cancer patients and their families. We are a member-driven site and implement as many ideas given to us by our members as we can,” Marcia shared.
Check out a working demo or get started on your own!
 Purchase your tickets for the Imerman Angels SPRING FLING.
STATS:
What: Learn about Imerman Angels, show love to IA, meet new friends, have drinks, have appetizers, relax, mingle with other good people, support 1-on-1 cancer pairing, meet Jonny Imerman, learn how you can get involved, have a reason to get dressed up!
Why: 100% of the proceeds benefit Imerman Angels, helping us to connect cancer fighters and survivors all over the world in 1-on-1 support relationships.
When/Where: March 18th from 7-11pm at Enclave (222 w. Chicago, Chicago, IL).
Cost: A $30 pre-sale ticket will grant you two drinks and appetizers. The online pre-sale has begun, get your tickets before they sell out, which they will!
Buy your tickets here!
 Terry Gillespie is a superstar among our mentor Angels. While being diagnosed with stage IIIB carcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer, she did not let the diagnoses bring her down. Not only did she beat it, but she did so with an enthusiasm and passion rarely found in any individual. She has dedicated most of her time to be a mentor angel and helps others after their initial diagnosis and through their treatments.
With only one lung, she bowls several times a week and loves to swim. According to Terry, she “doesn’t really swim, she bobs”
Terry is a shining example of energy, compassion, vivaciousness and love all wrapped up in one. She does her best to personally visit her pair-ups if she can. She has visited fighters in Illinois, Wisconsin and Missouri, often sending beautiful crystal and pearl survivor bracelets to the women she mentors. She tells the fighters that she paired up with “if you can’t cry with me, who are you going to cry with” She truly believes that no one can really understand what you’re going through more than someone who has been there. And been there she has.
Terry is working on putting together her own non for profit organizations called “Lung Cancer Heroes” dedicated to raising awareness and funding for lung cancer research
Although new to the Imerman Angel staff, this past January, I had the pleasure of introducing Terry to her 50th 1-on-1 pair up. She has done several more since. Terry has a “can-do” attitude that is unparalleled. She has never said no, she has never been too tired, too busy, too pre-occupied, too anything to help out a person in their time of need. She hugs with her heart and high fives with her soul.
Imerman Angels is proud to have her among our dedicated group of Survivor Mentor Angels.
- Lisa Cristia, Connection Specialist
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