Early adulthood is a time of forward momentum, growth and change – time when young adults are deeply focused on advancing their education, building a career and, for many, growing a family. Introducing a major disruption, such as a cancer diagnosis, can bring all of this to a screeching halt and leave you feeling isolated and lost. Suddenly, you are focused on fighting for your health and facing an uncertain future while struggling to make your way through an exceedingly complicated medical system.
The Boon Project’s Mission to Support Young Adult Cancer Survivors
Katherine Brown, The Boon Project’s founder and executive director, knows firsthand the struggles associated with a cancer diagnosis under 40. As she helped her identical twin sister navigate an advanced cancer diagnosis, career and family in her early 30s, Brown noted a distinct lack of resources for young cancer patients.
“I think this demographic is overlooked in large part because people don’t realize the unique challenges they face when diagnosed at this age until they experience it personally or watch someone in their inner circle walk this path,” Brown said, explaining that she founded the Boon Project in 2017 to fill the many gaps young adults in the Lowcountry face during and after a cancer diagnosis.
According to Brown, “The first step in better supporting this underserved demographic is recognizing their needs. As an organization, we’re constantly evaluating the needs of those we serve and how our programming should be adjusted to best meet those needs.” Now in its eighth year, Brown said the Boon Project offers free monthly events, a private online group for connecting, a fitness initiative to promote wellness in survivorship years and patient support services such as financial assistance, access to resources and guidance in preparing for appointments and “being an active member of their care team.” But if you ask Brown, the most important aspect of the organization’s programming is the sense of community it is able to foster for survivors. In Brown’s words: “Our motto is community is healing.”
Fighting isolation through community is at the core of The Boon Project’s mission. Survivors are invited to attend monthly gatherings known as Courage Club. This is not your typical support group but rather a monthly time dedicated to exploring what the Lowcountry has to offer while being with a group of young adults who understand life after a cancer diagnosis. Recent events have included yoga with goats, axe throwing and bowling. Courage Club members, affectionately referred to as “Boonies,” enjoy connecting at these monthly events as well as online through social media platforms.
Courage Club: Building Community for Survivors
Molly Gaynor, a young adult cancer survivor, shared her thoughts on the importance of Courage Club: “Cancer just makes people uncomfortable, and it doesn’t end when treatment is over. Just knowing you are around people who understand what you are going through is amazing.” This theme of understanding and support was mirrored in conversations with other survivors. Rob Dorchak referred to his fellow Boonies as “a family away from home that gives us strength,” especially since his own family lives far away. Dorchak said having The Boon Project as a resource “certainly made things easier” throughout his diagnosis, treatment and into survivorship.
Fitness Force: Encouraging Wellness and Physical Fitness in Survivorship
For survivors looking to improve their physical fitness, The Boon Project’s Fitness Force programming encourages them to reach fitness goals with community support and free workout classes and group fitness activities. This year, Fitness Force helped several survivors achieve their fitness goals while either walking or running in the annual Cooper River Bridge Run. Survivors are paired up with supporters and were fitted with new shoes prior to the race.
Annual Events: Celebrating Survivorship and Raising Awareness
In addition to the monthly Courage Club events, The Boon Project hosts two annual events. At the annual gala and auction, survivors come together with their supporters and local community sponsors to celebrate survivorship and honor those lost to cancer. According to Brown, this annual event gives Boon a chance to highlight survivors who are living life to the fullest while raising money to support programming for the coming year. In addition, the Birdies for Boon Golf Tournament had an exceptional second year raising both awareness and funds.
For more information about The Boon Project, visit boonproject.org.
By Blair Webb Grass, RN, MSN, CNM (ret.)
