Founder’s Note

The gala is over, the waves are no longer on the ceiling and the seashells are tucked away. The memories, however, will remain for a while. For those of you that shared the evening with us, THANK YOU!

✨Thank you for making a tough day for our family better~(March 1 never gets easier).

🎬Thank you for your heartfelt words after you met Cassie on screen, some for the first time.

🤗Thank you for welcoming Brande and embracing her as she shared her story.

💙 And of course, THANK YOU for your generosity🙏

Your donations absolutely make a difference in the lives of young adults (YA) managing a cancer diagnosis! When I hear those diagnosed with cancer under 40 share their story it often goes like this:

Shock.

Gather medical advice, make a plan.

Prepare for battle.

Bring your circle in close and hope for helpful support.

Finish treatment.

Assess the damage both physical and mental.

Begin to swim upstream.

When a YA meets people that “get it” something clicks. Cassie said it, Brande said it, when I’m up at Base2Summit camp, they say it- but I can see it! We went out to dinner on the Friday night before the gala with Brande, her husband Grant, and Christa (Brande’s bestie from Base2Summit) and I could not wipe the smile off my face.

Watching two people who met for a week last fall, lean into each other when they laughed, finish each other’s sentences and egg each other on about their step-competition was a blessing to me. When the work feels too hard and when I wonder if we’re making a difference, I get to spend time with Brande and Christa; that’s all I need.

I will forever be in awe of Cassie’s vision for hope and community. I will forever be grateful for all of you that have shared in her dream.

Many Blessings and Thank you!

Xo Karen