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5 posts tagged survivor
It’s Personal // Laura Milstead
Today we honor recent breast cancer survivor, Laura Milstead and how she’s giving back to her fellow survivor community. Laura shares our compassion to support the breast cancer community through nature-based wellness experiences that enhance a survivor’s path of healing and long-term survivorship; and she’s doing just that through a Yosemite Wellness Retreat, May 17-19.
As a part of the B4BC Survivorship Fund we’ve been working in tandem these past few months with Laura to help support her efforts! Follow the link below for more on her personal battle with cancer & the retreat…
http://www.stayclassy.org/B4BCSurvivorship
(Pic: Laura on a hiking adventure at Yosemite last summer, 2012)
IT’S PERSONAL // for Tory Brumm-Ward
IT’S PERSONAL // for Tory Brumm-Ward and best friend Andrea Du Bois. Tory was diagnosed with breast cancer in September of 2011 at the age of 26 years old. Tory and Andrea volunteered in our B4BC educational outreach booth last week at the 2012 summer X Games helping educate young people about the importance of early detection. Listen at they share their story and encourage each of us, cancer or no cancer, to live each day to the fullest!
CLICK TO VIEW: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyZ8MwyIUQI&feature=share&list=PL814D15CEBB7FB602
Tory (left) and Andrea (right) volunteering with us at X Games last month!
IT’S PERSONAL // Shannon Dieringer Joins B4BC With A Purpose
It’s Personal for B4BC’s intern Shannon Dieringer - a long-time supporter of B4BC, South Bay native and healthy, active girl! Read her story here:
I’ve always believed that nature is the best dose of medicine, like one big band-aid. Unfortunately not everyone has access to such amenities. The ability to provide recreational experiences so others could share in my vision has become a passion of mine. My grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer twice and I’m very thankful that she survived both instances. When my grandfather lost the battle against brain cancer I quickly found my second passion…finding a way to prevent cancer.
I discovered a way to unite my two passions and quickly began pursuing my degree in Therapeutic Recreation at Cal State University - Long Beach. Therapeutic Recreation uses activities such as surfing to facilitate healing and growth. What better a place to quiet your mind than the ocean or a snowy mountain? Nature is so inspiring and when people are inspired, great things happen.
I have followed B4BC since high school, and when they relocated to my hometown of the South Bay, I knew I had to be a part of the cause. After working at E.T. Surfboards for 5 years, I decided to pursue my dream of being a part of the fight against breast cancer. I am excited to share my vision, and bring the action sports community together in support of B4BC’s amazing cause.
Shannon’s background in therapeutic recreation and healthy, active pursuits will be contributing greatly to B4BC’s Survivorship Fund and end-of-summer Surf/SUP ReTreat for breast cancer survivors. You will also find her rallying teams for local SUP races as the B4BC Brigade continues to grow. We’re stoked to have you in the mix, girl!
If you’d like to tell us why It’s Personal for you, please send your story, in written or video form, to itspersonal@b4bc.org!
PAUSE FOR PREVENTION // Healthy Behaviors Extend Life After Cancer, Experts Say
Here at B4BC, we are constantly advocating the importance of a healthy, active lifestyle for cancer prevention. Now, recent studies are showing that not only can this help protect you against cancer, but for cancer survivors it can also lessen the risk of recurrence and boost long-term survival odds.
Read this article at MSN Health for more information about the importance of living a healthy lifestyle to prevent and protect you from cancer.
Shred the Love: It’s Personal for the Boardroom’s Samantha Timkey
This week, Samantha Timkey of The Boardroom Snowboard Shop (Ellicottville, NY) shares with us why IT’S PERSONAL. Learn how she became a part of the B4BC family and Holiday Valley’s community fundraising efforts in support of this winter’s Shred the Love campaign.
Being part of a small, family run business is one of the most rewarding jobs you can have. Coming to work every day is anything but a job, more like tangible passion with the people that you love the most. My parents have owned and operated their snowboard shop, The Boardroom, for 27 fantastic years. Living in a small community makes it challenging, with clubs and sports teams and benefits needing donations. One day, we were sitting around having our morning coffee, and we were talking about how everyone needs a cause. One cause that we could support wholeheartedly, no holds barred, throw ourselves into until we were sure we could make a difference.
One of my really good friends, Susanne Steck, suggested that we host an all pink cocktail party in our women’s specific room (The PowderRoom). As the ideas were coming fast and furiously, our other good friend Amanda Greene was volunteering for B4BC. Perfect! Amanda’s husband, Josh, who works for Red Bull, totally jumped on board to help us make the event banger. Additionally, one of my best friends, Pat Morgan, is the Youth Marketing Specialist at our home mountain (Holiday Valley), and he is hands down one of the best event planners in the history of events. Any time anyone needs sponsorship, a space to host events, or help with anything pertaining to the community, Holiday Valley is the first one in line. We are so fortunate to have them in our community, especially their willingness to continually make the world a better place. With the help of my parents, Pat, Susie, Amanda, Josh, Holiday Valley and their incredible people, and all of the other amazing people in my life, the little pink cocktail party has turned into an all day event at Holiday Valley, complete with on hill clinics, park events, an awards ceremony and auction, all benefitting B4BC and a local oncology center, Camp Good Days.
With that being said, breast cancer is also an issue that hits close to home for us. My mom’s mother was a survivor as well as her sister. Being one of ten, she and I are both at a high risk. My dad’s mom, who happens to be my hero/idol/role model was also diagnosed with this stupid disease. While going through radiation for melanoma, she now had to go through more radiation for breast cancer? Wtf. I was so upset, and couldn’t imagine how she felt, still living alone in Florida. Because of her active lifestyle and positive attitude, I am proud to say that she is the healthiest 85 year old woman on the planet, and told cancer to suck it.
This Saturday, February 11, Holiday Valley will be home to the 4th annual B4BC board-a-thon event. All of our manufacturers and reps have been incredible and extra generous, sending boxes and boxes of product to auction and raffle off. In fact, the sponsor list is so big, it takes up half of the poster! We have gained so much support and momentum from the community and surrounding areas, I can’t even express my gratitude. We have been getting calls from people and groups and companies that want to know who to make the check out to, completely unsolicited. For someone who has trouble expressing feelings, I can honestly say that the emotion that comes from this ever-successful event is totally overwhelming.
I know that not everyone is a survivor, and I am fortunate enough to say that I have never mourned the loss of someone close to me because of it, but it feels so good at the end of the day to know that you’ve made a difference in the big picture. Even if it’s just a smile for someone who is feeling down, more money for funding research, or an encouraging hug, it all matters. We will continue to raise our goal and work towards it, and we will stop at absolutely nothing.
Join the Boardroom & Holiday Valley in their fundraising efforts this week…
For every new “Like” of the Boardroom’s facebook page, Samantha and her family will donate a $1 to B4BC.
Thanks for shredding the love,
B4BC
