“Just Send It”

A little over a week home from my Send It trip and I’m still in awe about the whole experience. I was diagnosed in my early 20’s and never met a single person my age throughout my journey, even still receiving treatment, I don’t see people my age. Most people my age are starting families, getting married and moving forward with life we all imagined for ourselves, so I felt and still sometimes feel very alone. Sure I have family and friends, but they don’t actually relate or understand what I’m going through. When I first heard of Send It I was honestly skeptical, my doctor had never actually had someone go to be able to tell me what it was about. I did tons of research and social media stalking before I finally decided to apply. Once I applied, I was contacted within a few days and before I knew it I was planning a trip to California. I was so nervous going into this adventure, my first time on a plane, and I was flying across the country to meet up with a bunch of strangers and the only common thing between us was a cancer diagnosis.

When I arrived at the airport I met up with a few of the people I would be living with for the next few days. I was really excited and anxious to see what they’d be like. We were there for maybe 5 minutes just getting to know one another, when Logan showed up in a pink tutu! He was so happy to meet all of us and got us all to come out of our shells a little. We arrived at Tahoe Dave’s, the business who was kind enough to hook us all up with some rad gear for the week! After the fun experience of (most of us) putting on ski and boarding boots for the first time, we head to the house. Upon arrival we were all taken by the beauty of the house and its location. Then we walked through the door and were welcomed with the most delicious smell. We all sat together family style and enjoyed dinner as a group. Our first dinner was really great, eleven strangers all sitting together and talking like old friends. It was really something. 

After dinner we all gathered in the living room and we had our first Send It circle. Going into this whole “meeting” I was very skeptical and planned to not talk, just listen, but once I heard people introduce themselves and tell some of their story, I started to feel very relaxed about it all. I had realized “these people… get it!” We shared so much happiness and laughs in those circles, we also cried and related with one another in some of the struggles and sadness we’d gone through. We were able to be vulnerable and raw. We didn’t have to worry about “protecting” anyone or worrying about how they’d look at us after, we were safe and surrounded by love and support. We were able to lift one another and help each other Send It! 

The adventure was so much fun, but the bonds and friendships I made on that adventure, that was everything.To finally have people my age that I could hangout with who honestly understand how I feel and what I go through, that was something I never thought I would find. Because of Send It I now have people who I talk to everyday from that trip and I know that I am not alone. I learned so much about myself with my Send It family, and I will forever be thankful to the foundation, staff and volunteers because what they gave me on that trip was life changing. Do this for yourself, experience something great out of something terrible. This experience will provide you with something you didn’t know you needed. Just Send It!