Smile You are Blessed

When he was just 18, professional kayaker Brad Ludden established a non-profit foundation for young adults with cancer. His successful kayaking career and numerous connections led to an important partnership with Vail, Colorado. They were interested in bringing in a well-known kayaking ambassador and Brad hoped to start a kayaking camp for cancer fighters and survivors. In 2001, First Descents was founded and Vail hosted the first FD kayaking program.

Brad was initially inspired to help cancer patients after his aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer. As a child, he volunteered at a local pediatric oncology camp in Montana teaching the campers paddling skills each summer. It was at Eagle Mount where he learned how important a sense of vitality was to youths with cancer. He realized that cancer wasn’t just hurting his peers physically it was also affecting them emotionally. So began the concept of First Descents and Brad created a challenging and empowering kayaking program specifically designed for young adults diagnosed with cancer.

First Descents provides free outdoor adventure therapy to 18-39 year olds and offers participants the opportunity to take a first descent to changing their own life. Ludden’s philosophy focuses on four points to achieve this “life reclamation” process:

rebuilding self confidence, restoring an identity beyond cancer, restoring a sense of control, and building a network of other young adults with cancer who speak the same language.

First Descents has grown tremendously in ten years. Participants can experience rock climbing, surfing as well as whitewater kayaking all over the country. FD has even started offering camps for alumni to return and continue their healing process through additional outdoor adventures.

Facts: - 18-39 years olds are the fastest growing demographic of cancer with the lowest cure rates.

- Every year, nearly 70,000 young adults between the ages of 18 and 40 are diagnosed with cancer.

- First Descents has grown from 1 program in Vail, CO in 2001 to 14 programs in 6 different states in 2010.

Alice fell down the rabbit hole today, May 4th, 1865. 

That makes today the 150th anniversary of when she first found Wonderland. On the 150th anniversary of when her story is published, later this year, my dark retelling Meditations in Wonderland will be out!

You can read more about my upcoming “Alice” novel here.

White rabbits and ticking clocks,