Earlier this year, I went on a Send It adventure to Costa Rica, and it was such a healing experience. I was able to meet so many amazing people that had gone through treatments of their own while being able to support each other through some amazing activities. Send It gave us space to make connections and provided us with opportunities to feel powerful and in control of our bodies.

Many of us go through treatment and then get tossed back into normal life. Going through that during a time that many of your peers are starting families, careers, or having adventures can leave you feeling on the outside of your community while you are worried about test results, a recurrence, and blood counts. Some continue with ongoing treatment for years and some even for the rest of their lives. Organizations like Send It help you build a support system in an area that can feel hard for others to understand. 

When I was going through cancer treatment, climbing was one of the few things I continued doing that helped me feel a bit more normal. It was frustrating to be doing this thing that I loved as I lost my strength, hair, and motivation, but climbing during treatment also made me feel stronger than it felt like others saw me. I couldn’t climb hard during that time, but these organizations can help you connect with that part of your life again.

I am raising funds for this organization to help more survivors have these experiences and build this community. I've felt how important this was for myself and for others I have had the opportunity to connect with. I want to pay it forward and give that opportunity back to someone else that needs it. I will keep pushing myself to climb even harder things during this fundraiser for my past self who couldn't and as motivation for my present self who knows I can!

-Alexandra

From the American Cancer Society: 

How common is cancer in young adults?

• About 90,000 young adults aged 20 to 39 are diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States. About 4% of all cancers are diagnosed in people in this age range.
• About 9,000 young adults die from cancer each year.

Cancer is the 5^th leading cause of death in this age group, behind only accidents, suicide, homicide, and heart disease. It’s the leading cause of death from disease among females in this age group, and is second only to heart disease among males.

I need your support as I SEND IT this September. I'm raising funds for the Send It Foundation, which provides transformational care for young adult cancer patients and survivors through free outdoor adventures. 

Every donation—big or small—helps me reach my fundraising goal and directly impacts this important cause. Plus, every gift will be matched $1 for $1 by a generous anonymous donor!

Here's how you can help:

• Donate: Contribute whatever you can. No amount is too small!
• Spread the Word: Share my fundraising page with your friends, family, and social networks. Let’s spread awareness so we can raise more!

With your donation, we can keep their mission going strong. This year alone, over 90,000 young adults in the US will hear those dreaded "C" words in their twenties or thirties. While their peers are busy planning weddings and chasing careers, they're fighting a life-threatening disease. They're also juggling fertility worries, career planning, finances, and the need for age-appropriate support. It's tough, and they often feel like they're on their own. 

Send It is an expression that inspires positivity, enthusiasm, pushing boundaries and living life to the fullest. Born from the adventure sports community, Send It is what we say to encourage each other to go big and give it your all. Through outdoor activities like mountain biking, skiing, surfing, climbing, and backpacking, the Send It Foundation creates a space for young adults to challenge themselves in the outdoors, connect with peers, and find much needed community and support.

Let's Send It together and show them they're not alone. Thank you for your generosity and support!