I'M GOING TO AFRICA!!!! (picture me jumping up & down, waving my arms in the air, wearing my new fabulous, fuzzy, footed pajamas my parents gave me - and yes, I already opened my present!)
OK, now for the more sober version: I'm going to Africa to climb Kilimanjaro with a group of other cancer survivors.
And this also is all due to my parents; they are responsible for many good things right now!
I called my parents on my way home from the airport after my Cambodia trip - hi, Mom & Dad, I'm back, I'm safe, I didn't drown or get kidnapped.... They immediately started talking about a doctor they had met and heard speak. Dr. Richard Deming is medical director of Mercy Cancer Center in Des Moines, IA, and founder/chairman of Above & Beyond Cancer. He would be taking a group of survivors to Kilimanjaro in January. They were sending me an article about him, and insisting that I had to talk to him. All I could think at that moment was, I've just spent 23 hours in planes and airports, can I take a shower first? Please? And have a cup of coffee?
I did speak with him (after I got some sleep), and with Charlie Whittmack, the executive director of Above & Beyond Cancer. And can I just say, Wow! Those are some impressive guys! Above & Beyond Cancer was founded to help cancer survivors find new meaning and new strength through climbing and other adventures. They took a group of survivors on a trek to Everest Base Camp last April. (you can read about that trip and see photos here.) I quickly learned why my parents were so excited to introduce me to Dr. Deming and Above & Beyond Cancer.
I am thrilled at finding out about this organization, and not just because I'll be going on their Kilimanjaro trip. One of the things that I immediately loved about the organization is the emphasis on the process of striving for a goal and the transformative possibilities that creates. This is not some super-charged assault on a mountain. These are not great athletes. These are ordinary folks, striving to do something extraordinary. It was clear that the whole process is what's important. The summit is only a small part. The training, the fellowship of other like-minded people, the new environment, the challenge - these are all part of the experience. Above & Beyond Cancer is about challenging and renewing the body, mind and spirit.
So, I'll be leaving Jan. 1 for Tanzania. I look forward to the chance to climb Kilimanjaro. I look forward to meeting the other survivors, friends and family with whom I'll be spending the first two weeks of 2012. I'm sure we'll have lots of fun, struggles, and amazing experiences.
In the next few weeks I'll be writing about my preparation, my progress (or lack of - that's always a possibility) on the mountain, and my overall experience. While on the mountain, I'll post when I can.
Cancer is not a good thing; I would certainly have preferred to have never had to deal with this. But, thanks to family, friends, and some wonderfully dedicated and caring people, good things can come out of it.
I will also be making a donation to Above & Beyond Cancer to help provide trip scholarships for other, future survivors. Because, unfortunately, there will always be more. If you are looking for a good place for some year-end giving, you can do it online here. (make sure Above & Beyond Cancer is listed in the dropdown box)
Julie
OK, now for the more sober version: I'm going to Africa to climb Kilimanjaro with a group of other cancer survivors.
And this also is all due to my parents; they are responsible for many good things right now!
I called my parents on my way home from the airport after my Cambodia trip - hi, Mom & Dad, I'm back, I'm safe, I didn't drown or get kidnapped.... They immediately started talking about a doctor they had met and heard speak. Dr. Richard Deming is medical director of Mercy Cancer Center in Des Moines, IA, and founder/chairman of Above & Beyond Cancer. He would be taking a group of survivors to Kilimanjaro in January. They were sending me an article about him, and insisting that I had to talk to him. All I could think at that moment was, I've just spent 23 hours in planes and airports, can I take a shower first? Please? And have a cup of coffee?
I did speak with him (after I got some sleep), and with Charlie Whittmack, the executive director of Above & Beyond Cancer. And can I just say, Wow! Those are some impressive guys! Above & Beyond Cancer was founded to help cancer survivors find new meaning and new strength through climbing and other adventures. They took a group of survivors on a trek to Everest Base Camp last April. (you can read about that trip and see photos here.) I quickly learned why my parents were so excited to introduce me to Dr. Deming and Above & Beyond Cancer.
I am thrilled at finding out about this organization, and not just because I'll be going on their Kilimanjaro trip. One of the things that I immediately loved about the organization is the emphasis on the process of striving for a goal and the transformative possibilities that creates. This is not some super-charged assault on a mountain. These are not great athletes. These are ordinary folks, striving to do something extraordinary. It was clear that the whole process is what's important. The summit is only a small part. The training, the fellowship of other like-minded people, the new environment, the challenge - these are all part of the experience. Above & Beyond Cancer is about challenging and renewing the body, mind and spirit.
So, I'll be leaving Jan. 1 for Tanzania. I look forward to the chance to climb Kilimanjaro. I look forward to meeting the other survivors, friends and family with whom I'll be spending the first two weeks of 2012. I'm sure we'll have lots of fun, struggles, and amazing experiences.
In the next few weeks I'll be writing about my preparation, my progress (or lack of - that's always a possibility) on the mountain, and my overall experience. While on the mountain, I'll post when I can.
Cancer is not a good thing; I would certainly have preferred to have never had to deal with this. But, thanks to family, friends, and some wonderfully dedicated and caring people, good things can come out of it.
I will also be making a donation to Above & Beyond Cancer to help provide trip scholarships for other, future survivors. Because, unfortunately, there will always be more. If you are looking for a good place for some year-end giving, you can do it online here. (make sure Above & Beyond Cancer is listed in the dropdown box)
Julie
3 comments:
Julie,
You are one amazing woman!! The best thing (well for us) is that I know you'll be sharing about it. Good luck. This is really going to be something special...
Thanks, Nancy. Besides being super excited about my trip, I'm also so happy to share this org. with everyone. It was new to me, and what I've seen so far, I really like & respect.
Wow! Been away and see that you are now leaving on Saturday! Best of luck and have fun. It's funny because I have friends who have been training to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and you are so fit, you can just go. Have a wonderful time, looking forward to hearing all about it, and welcome to Africa. You go, gal! If you do come to Joburg for whatever reason, please tweet me and I will meet you.
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