Bee's Board of Directors' Team Fundraiser Page

Hi All! 

Most of you know of my passion for Epic Experience - an organization empowering adult cancer patients and survivors to live beyond cancer. 

I have personally benefitted from Epic Experience's free programs and believe in the power of nature and togetherness. "When I is replaced by We, Illness becomes Wellness." is a quote by Malcolm X that represents literally what I believe in! Togetherness and the healing power of nature are exactly the two elements Epic Experience provides to cancer patients, fighters, survivors, and thrivers. 

To better understand what Epic means to me, I'd like to share a little excerpt from a blog post I wrote in 2017: "I had completed active treatment for my primary brain cancer prior to participating in my week-long outdoor adventure camp. With other cancer patients, I took on rafting, white water kayaking, horseback riding, hiking, stand-up paddling, and more. Lodging, food, gear, guides, nurses, a chef, etc.—everything was sponsored through Epic - almost too good to be true!
I enjoyed being physically active again after a year of chemotherapy treatments and radiation. But the one thing I was not prepared for was cancer’s emotional aftermath. While the world around me was moving on, my entire life had changed. I found myself sans career, sans doctor appointments (that had dictated most of my life over the past 2 years), and sans perspective. Spending a week in the beautiful state of Colorado, going on adventurous activities I wouldn't have conquered before cancer, staying at a beautiful ranch, having profound, deep, and honest conversations around the campfire with fellow patients and survivors, and the loving care of the volunteers helped me on so many levels: Not only did I gain confidence in my physical abilities, but I was also able to heal mentally and emotionally."

 In an effort to give back to Epic Experience after attending the outdoor adventure camp, I became a member of the Epic Experience Alumni Team. We are a group of former campers that functions as a sounding board for Epic Experience’s staff and help with various administrative tasks "behind the scenes”. About a year later, I was asked to serve on Epic's Board of Directors. Being part of the BOD gives me an opportunity to give back on a larger scale and help shape Epic’s future from within. In addition to the many organizational volunteer roles, I very much enjoy serving the cancer community through hosting regional one-day events in the NY/NJ/PA area, 1:1 mentorship, volunteering at Epic's summer adventure camps, fundraising, grant-writing, etc. I was very honored to receive the inaugural "Luis (Stud) Chinn Volunteer of the Year" award in 2021. 

 Today, I am asking you to join me giving back to an organization that has not only supported me, but many others whose lives have been altered by cancer. 

Thank you! 

If you'd like to learn more about Epic Experience and all programs they provide (camp, regional days, virtual exercise classes, a podcast, and a virtual reality experience for cancer patients in the hospital), visit www.epicexperience.org, or reach out to me personally.