On the morning of Oct. 10, 2016, I opened Compass and read a story about agent Scott Hood (D-047, Hartford, Wis.) that changed my life. Okay, I have to go back a little to explain. 2016 was not my favorite year. In March, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Pretty big blow! I have gone through a series of treatments including hormone …
“Every day, I am reminded that our life’s journey is really about the people who touch us.” —Stuart Scott, Every Day I Fight When I first heard about Epic Experience in 2015, I was hesitant to apply. It wasn’t because I don’t like Colorado or free stuff or playing in the snow. It was partly because I didn’t think I …
My name is Kim and I am a two time breast cancer survivor, both cases within the last four years. The first time I had a bilateral mastectomy and the second time (yes, even with no breast you can get breast cancer) I had a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation at Callaway Young Cancer Center. I am a strong woman whose motto all …
In 2012 Abby Staible and I founded Epic Experience with the goal of offering hope to adult cancer survivors and their caregivers. It is now June of 2016. More than 250 campers have enjoyed a week at Epic Experience, and we have 35 signed up for the remaining three summer camps of 2016. We have offered 22 camps, including one …
In March, 2014, Linda Perez’s fiancé, Gabriel Fisz, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, PH positive – an aggressive form of the disease that required a bone marrow transplant. The prognosis was poor. Little did Linda and Gabriel know that two years later, Linda would receive a donated Vera Wang wedding dress! The couple is also in the process of starting …
In July of 2012, I heard those 3 loathsome words that have impacted so many lives through the years, “You have cancer”. I was 28 and had gotten married just 3 months earlier. I felt completely unprepared for this fight. More than that, I felt it was completely unfair that I was so young, lived a clean lifestyle, had no …
What to cook for cancer survivors, staff and volunteers at an Epic Experience camp? We were looking for a healthy source of hydration for keeping our Cancer Thrivers that travel to the high altitude of Colorado from across the US and Canada and our friends at Polar Bottles introduced us to Skratch Labs. Skratch Labs generously donated hydration packets and …
Well. 2015 has come and gone. And a lot of things in my life have changed. After the euphoric high of finishing my first marathon, I took a well-deserved break from intense training and focused on a few other aspects of my life. I graduated with my Master’s in Biomedical Engineering from CSU in December, enjoyed a holiday season with …
I heard about Epic Experience from two previous campers. Both kept telling me I needed to go; that 7W Guest Ranch was beautiful, that the activities were awesome, that I would find a new Epic family, that I would laugh till my sides hurt—which all sounds incredible, right? But I kept dragging my feet. It’s a free week of outdoor …
As I settle down after this incredible epic weekend, I’ve decided that hosting a fundraiser is much like riding a roller coaster. Imagine a new coaster at Elitches, with bigger, faster, stomach-tightening rides…That’s the one we choose! The committee plans diligently as the coaster heads up for the first drop. Smiles, gleeful cheers, encouraging fist pumps rally us to the …
