Surviving & Thriving

Surviving
& Thriving

About Us?

Surviving & Thriving is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving the breast cancer thriver community. We connect like-minded breast cancer survivors and thrivers to empower each other and rise above breast cancer through outdoor activity and adventure in our beautiful state of Colorado. Surviving & Thriving activities are for those at any stage of breast cancer treatment and recovery who wish to connect with others in a positive, uplifting environment to enjoy nature, support one another, and engage in graded physical activity.

Surviving & Thriving is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering breast cancer survivors, and their families, to thrive. We partner with the community to provide a compassionate network of resources and programs to uplift, support, and promote healing.

About Us?

Featured on KKTV News Good News Friday Program

Surviving & Thriving was featured on the KKTV program Good News Friday By Lindsey Grewe on October 20, 2023. To view the program, click
kktv.com/2023/10/20/new-colorado-springs-breast-cancer-survivor-support-group-aims-foster-healing-with-fellowship-exercise/.

A Sisterhood of Survivors

Within our community of thrivers, we seek to encourage, inspire, and give hope to our fellow sisters throughout all stages of the survivorship journey. We foster meaningful relationships through participation, face our fears and challenges together, and learn new things. Being with other survivors in a positive, uplifting environment promotes health, healing, and well-being.

Our programs are community-based to provide opportunities to promote physical fitness through exercise, improve knowledge through education, and to connect with others on the journey who understand.

At Surviving & Thriving, we understand that a breast cancer diagnosis can affect all family members and that women can be diagnosed earlier in life. We hope that with generous donations and grants, we can offer positive initiatives to support the whole family, including children, of breast cancer survivors in the short future.

An Evidence-Based Approach to Surviving & Thriving

Engaging in physical exercise among breast cancer survivors is significantly associated with decreased mortality, increased physiological functions, and changes in metabolic biomarkers. Major health outcomes include increased cardiorespiratory functions, muscular strength, and immunity building (Kim et al., 2013).

Participation in oncology-related group support has benefits: informational support, shared experience, learning from others, helping others as well as cultivating humor as a coping strategy (Jablotschkin et al., 2022).

There is strong evidence that physical activity reduces the risk of breast cancer but also the risk of recurrence (de Bour et al., 2017).

Exercise aids in preventing the exacerbation of cancer symptoms and the deterioration of physical fitness and health-related quality of life among breast cancer patients during adjuvant therapy. Exercise reduces fatigue symptoms and improves cardiorespiratory fitness, strength, and health-related quality of life in breast cancer survivors (Ficarra et al., 2022).

For breast cancer survivors, peer support and fostering group cohesion as part of an exercise program may help to support improved physical activity and health (Leach et al., 2019).

Physical activity and time spent in nature make hiking an ideal activity to increase overall health and wellness. Health and general well-being benefits from regular time in nature, breathing fresh air, physical activity, restoration, and social bonding. Hiking decreases depression and improves general health (Mitten et al., 2018).

References

de Boer, M. C., Worner, E. A., Verlaan, D., van Leeuwen, P. A. M. (2017). The mechanisms and effects of physical activity on breast cancer. Clinical Breast Cancer, 4(17), 272-278.

Ficarra, S., Thomas, E., Bianco, A., Gentile, A., Thaller, P., Grassandonia, F., Papakonstantinou, S., . . .Hofmann, H. (2022). Impact of exercise interventions on physical fitness in breast cancer patients and survivors: a systematic review. Breast Cancer, 29(3), 402-418. doi: 10.1007/s12282-022-01347-z

Jablotschkin, M., Binkowski, L., Hoopi, R. M., & Weis, J. (2022). Benefits and challenges of cancer peer support groups: A systematic review of qualitative studies. European Journal of Cancer Care, 31(6). DOI: 10.1111/ecc.13700

Kim, J., Wook, J. C., & Jeong, S. H. The effects of physical activity on breast cancer survivors after diagnosis. Journal of Cancer Prevention, 18(3), 193-200. doi: 10.15430/JCP.2013.18.3.193

Leach, H. J., Potter, K. B., & Hidde, M. C. (2019). A group-dynamics based exercise intervention to improve physical activity maintenance in breast cancer survivors. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 16(9), 785-791.

Mitten, D., Overholt, J., Haynes, F. I., D’Amore, C. C., & Ady, J. C. (2018). Hiking: A low-cost, accessible intervention to promote health benefits. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 12(4), 302-310. doi: 10.1177/1559827616658229

Welcome To Surviving & Thriving

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Become a Volunteer

Volunteer

Join Us Now

Lead a hike
Staff the table during a hike
Become a Breast Friends Mentor
For health providers, offer to speak and provide information
Help with Pink Thriver In-Person events

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View Our Case

Donate

One-time donations or recurring monthly gifts
Donate a service, talent, or use of facilities (Yoga session, Pilates session, vacation home for retreat use, painting, zipline, e-bikes, paddleboard rental, horseback riding, river raft admission, archery course, spa services).
Contact us to donate proceeds for a fundraiser evening at your business (restaurant, bar, etc.)

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Join Our Event

Host a Fundraiser

Contact us to help with ideas! Think about what you enjoy: fishing, hiking, playing cards. Hold a Surviving & Thriving PINK Event. There are many possibilities!

Programs

Our present focus remains centered on outdoor activity, adventure, and exercise. With funding, we hope to provide all the programs listed below that target the emotional, educational, and spiritual needs of thrivers and their families. The development of these programs hinges on generous donations.

Outdoor hikes and exercise

Connect with like-minded thrivers to empower each other to rise above breast cancer through outdoor activity and exercise. This group is for those at any stage of breast cancer treatment and recovery who wish to connect with others in a positive, uplifting environment to enjoy hiking in nature or other forms of exercise.

Breast Friends Mentorship Program

Through one-on-one connections, we match newly diagnosed individuals with a peer mentor who can share their experiences and support them throughout the journey.

Pink Family Programs

In-person gatherings in a relaxed atmosphere offer a space to connect with others sharing a similar journey and strengthen relationships with family members.

Pink Speaker Series Workshops

Educational workshops presented by medical professionals on treatment and survivorship: emerging research, treatment, combating negative side-effects of treatment, wellness, fitness, research, and emotional wellness.

Pink Thriver In-Person Events

In-person gatherings offer friendship, support, and new learning opportunities. Participants connect to uplift one another in a positive environment. Check our events calendar for more details.

Kids Connected

Children of women with a breast cancer diagnosis are likely to be affected. Change can be frightening and difficult to adjust to, especially if mom looks or acts differently. This group gathers for fun activities, games, and a safe space to process the impact of cancer in their lives with trained professionals.

Donation

Help A Neighbor Who Is Fighting Breast Cancer

Meet Janet. Hear her inspirational story.

Janet was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020. She struggled with grueling treatments over three years that took a toll on her physical and mental health: surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation. Janet was a part of online support groups but was hesitant to participate in the Surviving & Thriving activities. She spent much time attending doctor appointments and was unsure if she had the strength to participate. However, she found camaraderie, support, and encouragement in the sisterhood of the Thriver Hikes, which motivated her to walk her first mile following surgery.

“ Meeting other patients, listening, and sharing experiences is helpful. Being able to make new connections. It’s a blessing knowing I am not alone. Getting connected like family is very rewarding. We all can smile widely, laugh, and talk. I love how everyone is so connected, friendly, and open with each other. ”

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Surviving & Thriving

Hear Our Participants

Doom Doel

CEO & Founder

“ I enjoyed meeting other breast cancer thrivers like myself. ”

Ema

Volunteer

“ Forming connections with other survivors helped me through treatment. ”

Chica Doel

Volunteer

“ Hiking with others makes me feel stronger inside and outside. ”

Jess Doel

Volunteer

“ Engaging with others during hikes feels empowering. They get what I’ve been through. ”

What Volunteers Say

Hiking and helping my sister survivors and thrivers in their journeys combines two of my passions. Volunteering feeds my soul like nothing else can. I adore being around so many strong women and giving hope as a two-time survivor and thriver since 2006 and 2020.

Sam

Volunteer