Could you use a challenging adventure to help you regain control of your life after cancer? Check out First Descents., 6/18/2010
Our Mission:
First Descents is committed to curing young adults of the emotional effects of cancer and empowering them to regain control of their lives by experiencing whitewater kayaking and other challenging adventure sports in a safe, fun and supportive environment.
Why is this our mission?:
It is our hope that we can improve the lives of young adults with cancer by offering whitewater kayaking and other outdoor adventure sports. These experiences significantly increase self confidence. Self-confidence empowers people affected by cancer to regain control of their lives. First Descents is not just giving young adults with cancer their self confidence back, we're also connecting a largely disconnected population. First Descents helps shatter the illusion that cancer makes people fragile. In the end First Descents helps heal the emotional scars cancer left behind. Also, cancer is the disease with the lowest survival rate among 18-39 year olds. Every year, nearly 65,000 young adults between the ages of 15 and 40 are diagnosed with cancer. In contrast to younger and older patients, the survival rates of young adults have not increased since 1975. Adolescent and young adult cancer survivors are a vastly understudied population. Diagnosis and treatment during young adulthood often results in a range of unique psychological issues. Through First Descents we hope to bring awareness about the young adult cancer population.
How do we accomplish this?:
All of our programs are free of charge to our participants. To keep our programs free we are continually fundraising via events, corporate funding, sponsorships, grants and private donations. All of our programs are staffed by volunteers to help keep the cost down for each program. For our participants that are in financial need travel scholarships are available. Our office is staffed by only three paid employees Director of Development Karen Crawford, Programs Operations Manager Whitney Lange and Programs/Development Coordinator Lisa Goldstein.
