Melissa is running 26.2 miles!!

Cancer doesn’t stop affecting someone’s life when treatment ends. The physical, mental, and emotional side effects often continue long after, forever changing relationships, hobbies, social life, work, and well-being. Epic Experience was founded with the goal of ensuring no one lives through these psychosocial burdens alone. To this end, Epic Experience programs help survivors rekindle hope, regain inner strength, and find community among those who understand what it means to have cancer.  

The pinnacle weeklong camp experience exemplifies our mission of empowering adult survivors to live beyond cancer. Knowing the need for support is great, we’ve expanded our offerings to include additional programs: in-person Regional Survivorship Days in cities across the country, a podcast covering a variety of cancer and survivorship-related topics, and ThriveVR, which gives a virtual camp experience to those in active treatment. 

I am running 26.2 miles in the Colfax Marathon this May for several reasons. The first is to prove to myself that cancer doesn't stop me from living my life. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023 and it was a blessing in my life, empowering me to live every day to its fullest and be the healthiest me I can be. I've never run a marathon before and doing it for the first time for such an incredible organization is living life to the fullest. Also, Epic Experience came into my life at a time when I most needed it and the weeklong camp was truly transformational in my life. I want other cancer survivors to have the same opportunity to experience the adventure and support that camp brings. 

Please consider supporting me and Epic Experience in empowering adult cancer survivors to live beyond cancer through adventure and improve their mental and physical health as I do something I never thought I wanted to do... run a marathon. Thank you!!