We finished 2018 strong and are looking forward to big things in 2019!

A Look Back at 2018

Katherine Brown

     2018 has been a busy year for The Boon Project. We’ve added new programs, partnered with more oncology offices, and expanded our impact on young adults fighting and surviving cancer.
     Back in January, I attended a Cancer to 5K coaches symposium in Baltimore at Ulman Foundation’s headquarters. Together with 2 other volunteer coaches, we spent the next few months recruiting program sponsors (including The Boon Project), and participants (survivors and Sherpas) for our Charleston team. The first ever Charleston Cancer to 5k training season began with over 20 survivor participants and 20 Sherpa volunteers. We even coordinated free childcare during practices so our participants don’t need to worry about that obstacle. (Thank you, volunteers!) Our twice weekly practices have continued through the fall and we are looking forward to our goal race in January.
     We launched a new program in February to provide much needed financial assistance to young adults fighting cancer. The application for assistance can be found on our website (or in this newsletter) and is also included in the Boon Bags we have at various practices in the tricounty area. We’re grateful for the generous support from donors which has allowed us to provide financial assistance to several patients since beginning the program.
     In April we held our first annual gala. In addition to being our major fundraiser for the year (raising approximately $21,000), it gave us an opportunity to share about our organization and mission with members of our community. It was a successful night and we are continuing to build on connections made that night to help better serve our demographic.
     Our Courage Club continues to grow both in our online support group (approximately 60 members now) and in participation in our monthly gatherings. What’s even more important, we’ve provided a place for young adults facing cancer to connect with one another and provide support and encouragement during and between our official gatherings.
     As the year progressed and our Courage Club grew, we recognized a need for another program geared towards young adults facing Stage IV Cancer, or a chronic cancer diagnosis. This summer, our Metathriver group was born. Our metathrivers are invited to all Courage Club gatherings, but also meet quarterly in a more intimate group to support each other through the ups and downs of a lifelong Cancer battle. Our Metathriver group is about half a dozen strong with just as many unique cancer types. I’m so proud of this group and the role it plays in fighting the isolation that so often accompanies a diagnosis, particularly Stage IV.
     An important part of our mission is to make sure our demographic is aware of, and has access to, services geared towards them offered by other organizations. We aren’t looking to reinvent the wheel, so if programs exist to meet a need, we want to support them. In addition to partnering with Ulman Foundation to bring Cancer to 5k to Charleston, we’ve helped “prescribe adventure” by connecting several of our survivors with First Descents where they participated in weeklong outdoor adventures with other young adult cancer survivors. The adults weren’t the only ones going to camp, though! Four children of Courage Club members attended Camp Kesem last summer, where they made great memories with other kids impacted by a parent’s cancer diagnosis. Team work makes the dream work and we are grateful for the roles these organizations play in meeting the needs of our demographic.
     We are growing, but there is much work to do. We will continue to stand in the gap for young adults fighting cancer in 2019. We have our Cancer to 5K goal race on January 12, and we’d love a strong cheering section present! Come on out and cheer on these survivors as they cross the Shrimp & Grits 5k finish line. This spring, we will hold our second annual gala on April 4. Keep an eye on social media, our website, and newsletters in 2019 for information on ticket sales and how you can help. Of course we also have lots of Courage Club fun in the works for the new year. Stay tuned for more information on additional partnerships coming in 2019. Thank you for helping us be a boon to young adults fighting cancer!
 

Seeking Corporate Sponsors

Do you have a business or employer who may be interested in partnering with The Boon Project to impact young adult cancer fighters and survivors? We are seeking corporate sponsors for our current fiscal year at a variety of levels. Please email Katherine at Katherine@boonproject.org for sponsorship information.

Upcoming Courage Club Events

Events in Early 2019

January: Shrimp and Grits 5K! Join us January 12 as we cheer on our survivors and celebrate their goal race as the completion of their Cancer to 5K season. Courage Club members who did not participate in Cancer to 5K are invited to attend the race as supporters and cheerleaders. Bring signs, cowbells, and your cheering voice!

Metathriver Group will gather January 9th for dinner and a make and take craft project. Please email Katherine@boonproject.org to RSVP. This event is open to those facing a chronic/stage IV cancer diagnosis as a young adult. 

February: Shag Lesson! Courage Club members and a guest are invited to a FREE shag lesson and dinner. Date TBD. More information coming!

Financial Assistance Grants

We're grateful to continue to be able to provide young adults fighting cancer with the opportunity for financial assistance. Applications are available on our website or by clicking here. Thank you to our generous donors who have allowed us to expand our programs to better serve this community, and to our partner doctors who have helped make their patients aware of this resource.