Thriving Together

A nonprofit fundraiser supporting

A transformative, 3-night adventure for cancer survivors and their caregiver.

$4,605

raised by 46 people

$3,500 goal

As many of you know, in January of 2022, I was diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer that metastasized to my spine. I have been so lucky to be under the care of a team of wonderful doctors who are working hard to keep me alive and thriving. However, it hasn’t been easy. I have undergone three major surgeries. Also, since April of 2022, I have undergone targeted chemotherapy, an oral chemo that I take daily for 21 days before getting 7 days to try to recover and then start it all over again. I will be on this kind of treatment for the rest of my life. While I am truly doing fantastic considering the odds–someone dies of metastatic breast cancer every twelve minutes–the treatment leaves me with crushing fatigue and makes me immunocompromised, along with about twenty other side effects.

Even when advanced-stage cancer patients are thriving, cancer leaves behind a lot of collateral damage mentally. Treatment is barbaric–poisoning, burning, or cutting the cancer out. That leaves body deformities, scars, and trauma. Life as we once knew it often goes away. I needed to retire from teaching, and I constantly need to remind myself that it’s okay that I am physically not able to do what I once could. Having advanced cancer leaves you in a constant state of “scanxiety”: the fear of having to open test results. There is terror in knowing that you have terminal cancer and are constantly wondering when the cancer is coming back for you.

This past February, I was given the opportunity to attend Epic Experience—a nonprofit whose mission is to empower cancer survivors to live beyond cancer through adventure. This all-expenses paid, week-long camp gave me a chance to truly heal my soul. I was able to spend time playing in the Colorado mountains (snow shoeing, sledding, cross-country skiing, hot springing) with other “healthy” advanced-stage cancer patients like me. We laughed, cried, spoke honestly without the fear of making others uncomfortable, and mended some of the trauma that cancer has left us with. I made life-long friends with people like me–thrivers.

In September, I am going to Maine with Epic Experience again. This time, we will be participating in a camp called Thriving Together, where we will go sea kayaking with fellow Epic alumni cancer survivors and our caregivers. I want Eric to experience the love and support that I gained at camp, as being a caregiver is sometimes harder mentally than being a patient.

When I returned from Epic Experience, I felt moved to devote my energy towards helping this non-profit organization in any way I can. While we plan to personally pay for the cost of our camp in Maine, we would like to help others who are on their cancer journey. My goal is to raise enough money to pay it forward to provide other cancer survivors the chance to experience this wonderful camp and help them begin the journey of healing their souls as well. If you’re able to donate any amount, big or small, it would mean the world to me. Your support will help us be part of something truly healing and inspiring. If you would like to learn more about Epic Experience and all that they are doing for the cancer community, visit https://www.epicexperience.org/.

With continual gratitude,

Tanya and Eric Friesen

For more information on Stage IV metastatic breast cancer, visit https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-stage-4/.