Neighborhood Nonprofit Spotlight: Athletes 4 Cancer

Athletes 4 Cancer: Young adult cancer survivors (that is folks diagnosed between 18-39) have a unique cancer burden. They are hit with cancer in the middle of learning who they are as an adult. Instead of starting college, a family, or career, they are facing their own mortality. Often, they don't see anyone their own age in their treatment settings. It's either children at the pediatric centers, or parents and grandparents at the adult oncology clinics. They face severe isolation, issues with late effects, and loss of their independence. All of this leaves both emotional and physical scars. Athletes 4 Cancer uses the power of nature and community to celebrate the physical scars and heal the emotional ones. We provide young adults an opportunity to push their boundaries, explore their fears, and hopes in a safe peer-support environment through our Camp Koru surf and snow retreats. Often, young survivors are meeting others like themselves for the first time.

Patch: How does your organization help to strengthen the local community?

Athletes 4 Cancer: Our local community is the global community. We provide survivor ship support for anyone who was diagnosed with cancer between 18-39, no matter where they live. All participants go to either Maui, HI or Mt. Hood, Oregon for the camps. We hold an annual fundraiser called Kite boarding 4 Cancer in the Hood River, OR area. This event brings in hundreds of locals and non-locals out to the Columbia River Gorge for a test of endurance (six-hour kite derby) in an effort o remind the public how tough cancer can be on the body and hour our survivors have endured. This event brings in spectator and athletes from around the world, and not only spreads awareness about young adult cancer survivor ship, but also brings funds to the local economy.

Patch: How does your organization help to strengthen the local community?

Athletes 4 Cancer: Our local community is the global community. We provide survivor ship
support for anyone who was diagnosed with cancer between 18-39, no matter where they live. All participants go to either Maui, HI or Mt. Hood, Oregon for the camps. We hold an annual fundraiser called

Kite boarding 4 Cancer in the Hood River, OR area. This event brings in hundreds of locals and non-locals out to the Columbia River Gorge for a test of endurance (six-hour kite derby) in an effort to remind the public
how tough cancer can be on the body and hour our survivors have endured. This event brings in spectator and athletes from around the world, and not only spreads awareness about young adult cancer survivorship, but also brings funds to the local economy.

Patch: What is the biggest struggle your organization faces?

Athletes 4 Cancer: Growing our program in a way that is meaningful and meets demands without sacrificing standards. There is a massive demand for our camps. But our goal is to continue to deliver age-relevant, evidence informed, programming for the young adult cancer population and never dilute the high standards we've set for ourselves.

Patch: What do you hope for the future of your nonprofit?

Athletes 4 Cancer: We hope to continue to provide an experience like none other that meets the unique needs of young adults by incorporating expert knowledge in the field, as well as the most well-rounded programming available.