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Young Adult Cancer Survivor Expedition: Basic Information
Young Adult's with cancer are grossly underserved population within the cancer community and are often referred to as the "Forgotten Generation". Commonly, cancer is seen as a disease that affects older adults but there are over 6,500 young adults (ages 15 to 39) diagnosed with cancer each year in Canada. As a result of these common misconceptions, there is almost no funding given to or research done specifically focusing on YA's. Despite great advances in technology and huge increases in cancer survivorship of children and adults (almost 50% better chance of survival than 30 years ago), the five year survival rates of young adults has stayed virtually unchanged since the 1980's!
On top of this, YA's with cancer have to deal with a number of issues unique to their age group, such as fertility, financial and job insecurity, and dating/relationships, which are often not addressed within the current cancer support groups and organizations. Out of all cancer survivors, YA's have the most potential to effectively impact society (Lance Armstrong or Terry Fox were both YA's at the time of their diagnosis) and therefore should be given the appropriate amount of funding and attention.
Also, young adult cancer survivors have to mobilize and reach out to others in their situation. They need to understand that it is possible to thrive in their cancer experience as a community supporting each other, and not just shut their eyes and wait for it to be over when they can get on with their lives. These are some of the important issues that this expedition and the subsequent film will bring into the public spotlight.
Dates: Expedition July 11th-23rd, 2009
Film Release November/December 2009
Participants
All the cancer survivors chosen to be apart of this expedition do not have previous kayaking experience. We did not want experienced outdoor enthusiasts but people who never thought they would attempt an expedition of this nature. This is so that the whole experience will be completely new and difficult for the participants and consequently they will have to draw the lessons learned from their difficult cancer experiences. All participants are physically fit, despite some chronic cancer related side effects, are willing to accept the risks of such an expedition. It has been of the utmost importance to find people with good attitudes who are articulate and introspective about their cancer experience and who are willing to be or already are a public voice for the young adult cancer community. They also are willing to raise $2,000 each to cover a portion of the over all expedition and filming costs. Short Bio's and pictures of the participants can be viewed on www.survivethrive.org.
Logistics and Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive Calgary, Eat and stay at Mike Lang's
Day 2: Drive to Waterton National Park, do a hike and initial interviews
Day 3: Drive to Put-in (Rome, OR), meet guides and pack for expedition
Day 4-12: Expedition begins!! Will include 8 full days spent on the river, one 24 hour solo time and one off river activity day which will include a 600 foot rappel from the canyon rim.
Day 12-13: Wrap up filming, final interviews and drive back to Calgary
Costs:
The total amount of money needed to be raised is $48,000. A total of $30,000 needs to be raised from corporate sponsors as $18,000 will be raised by the participants ($2,000 each participant) towards the cost of the expedition and filming. The expedition itself will cost $14,000 for the entire 12 days spent traveling and on the river. This includes payment for guides, transportation, accommodation, food, group equipment, and river permits for the entire expedition team. Film production costs will be $24,000 and include all the filming costs and equipment on the expedition as well as pre-trip interviews, post-production and editing. Finally, $10,000 will be spend on promoting the film which will include posters/flyers/advertisements, DVD production, screenings and presentations at High Schools/Universities and fundraisers across Canada, entry fees for the 18 Canadian film festivals targeted, pitching the film to various Canadian TV networks and all associated travel expenses. All efforts will be made to keep costs low and to use the funds raised in an efficient and transparent manner. A detailed budget can be provided upon inquiry.
Sponsorship Benefits:
The returns for sponsoring this expedition will be immense. Company and brand names will be highly publicized in the Young Adult community through the presentations at high schools and universities throughout the country as well as film festivals and network TV. We are looking for 2 primary sponsors who are willing to commit $5,000 - $10,000 or more to the project. In return the companies name will appear in the opening credits of the film and on all promotional material as primary sponsors and will be shamelessly promoted at the various screenings, presentations and fundraisers. Secondary sponsors are those who will commit between $1,000 - $5,000 in money or equipment. They will appear in the ending credits of the film, on promotional materials and will be mentioned at screenings and fundraisers as secondary sponsors. Equipment donated to this project will be featured in the film and increase brand visibility on a national and even international scale. A business can also sponsor a person individually for $2,000.
Film Synopsis:
Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Owyhee River Gorge deep in the SE Oregon desert, a group of ordinary Canadians embark on a journey of a lifetime down the one of the most remote rivers in the Lower 48. This incredible river journey is all the more remarkable as the core team members are all young adults and survivors of cancer.
In our modern age of technology, advanced medical care and support, many Canadians are surprised to learn that young adults with cancer face many unique challenges in their personal lives. They face not only the physical and mental challenges of the disease, but a far more subtle fight for acceptance and validation in their own society.
Led by Mike Lang, who just finished treatments a few months before the expedition, this inspirational group of young adult survivors share their personal stories and apply the lessons they learned from their cancer struggle as together they battle a completely new set challenges on the river. The result is an extraordinary journey of fear, uncertainty, and seemingly insurmountable challenges combined with strength, humour, beauty, and a rare insight into the lives of one of Canada?s most underserved and unrecognized populations.
Our Mission
To help young adult survivors of severe illness or injury identify, process and apply life lessons through adventure activites.