Cancer survivors are used to uncertainty. Many go through years of taxing treatments, zapping all of their time and energy. As a result, they forget how to trust their bodies; and when they finish their last treatment, many don't know where to go next.
That's where First Descents comes in. The nonprofit organization gives young adults a chance to connect with nature and continue the healing process. It aims to "provide life-changing outdoor adventure for young adults (18-39) impacted by cancer and other serious health conditions." It has several programs, from surfing to kayaking and even rock climbing. One group of cancer survivors got to head to Moab, Utah for some rock climbing and camaraderie, and "Good Morning America" was there to share how meaningful the experience is to survivors joining the weeklong expedition.
The video follows the journey of breast cancer survivors LaTanya Thornhill and Becky Gray, who signed up for the trip to connect with others with similar experiences. Speaking about her treatments, Becky said, "Just navigating all the different treatments, I felt like I had every side effect under the sun." LaTanya said, "It's a lot of anxiety. Very stressful trying to still maintain your life while being sick."
"I think any good adventure is life-changing," First Descents founder Brad Ludden said in the video. "But it's especially poignant for young adults with cancer because their diagnosis has upset the course of their life."
Ludden was inspired by his aunt, who had cancer at age 38. He began taking her out on kayaking trips and saw how much life and renewed hope it breathed into her. "I saw a lot of freedom, a lot of confidence being built, and a light went off. I thought, 'If it could work for her, it could work for a lot of other people, too.'" According to First Descents' website, Ludden began volunteering at a pediatric oncology ward, teaching participants how to kayak. He loved the experience, and the nonprofit was eventually born.
LaTanya and Becky spent a day in Moab hiking and rappelling down cliffs in the desert valley. "Just seeing everybody else, hearing their stories, what they went through, what they learned through it, and just connecting with them, just helped me a lot," LaTanya said.
Becky realized that even though she had some limitations, she could still do a lot. "I think I realized on this trip just how much I've had my head down, my blinders on, just so interested in getting back to normal. I didn't realize how shut down I was in a lot of ways, and I'm just excited to embrace that new feeling."
LaTanya said she was "really proud and shocked" that she made it through, because there were many times she was scared. But she pointed out something that a guide said, which stuck with her. "He said, 'It's not always about getting to the top. Sometimes it's just about taking that first step.'"
