October Org Updates
Happy October, Ohana!
It seems like just yesterday we were riding the stoke at Kiteboard 4 Cancer with all of you. Flash forward a few months, and we are knee-deep in supporting young adult cancer survivors through our programming, while also navigating periods of change and transition…needless to say, we’ve been busy the last few months!
So what’s new? First, we graduated another cohort of Farman Fellows this past August. Project Koru’s Farman Fellows program is a 6 month intensive leadership training program that provides resources and education for young adult cancer survivors to develop a deeper sense of purpose, identity, and community post-cancer beyond the camp experience. It also develops a group of committed Camp Koru alumni that can directly contribute to the work and movement of Project Koru through the addition of their talent, time, and support. We are so proud to be an organization for survivors, by survivors, and that's largely thanks to our Farman Fellows. Join us in saying thank you to our Fellows for their dedication, commitment, and insight into the work we do!
In September, we launched Project Koru’s 2nd annual PK5K. Survivors, supporters, friends, and family joined together to push themselves out of their comfort zones, while fundraising to give young adult cancer survivors a chance to get out of theirs through participating in our outdoor adventure camps. Together we raised over $6,000, enough to send 4 more participants on a journey of healing and adventure. Thank you to all who participated!
It’s also that time of year again - after our summer hiatus, camp season is back! Camp Koru is a free outdoor adventure camp that helps young adult cancer survivors find healing and renewal beyond cancer. And we can’t believe how time flies - last week was our 52nd Camp Koru! 11 survivors left their stressful lives and traveled to the magical island of Maui to heal, build community, give back, and learn to surf. Please join us in welcoming these new Camp Koru alumni to our Ohana.
Survivors hugging at camp.
On that topic…. Camp Koru has gone international! In an effort to be as accessible and inclusive as possible, we have added two new locations for our programs; Costa Rica and Mexico. We are thrilled to have built great relationships in both of these locales and can’t wait to start these new experiences while giving back to the land that gives us so much.
The seasons are not the only things changing, as the fall months have brought a slew of staffing changes. We are welcoming new faces, saying some bittersweet goodbyes, and celebrating upward movement. First, please join us in congratulating Emma Ross, Project Koru’s Marketing and Development Coordinator, who has been promoted to Special Events and Marketing Manager! Emma started with PK 3 years ago as an intern and has continued to grow with and help grow our organization. She’s proven her events management skills by becoming the mastermind behind our signature event, Kiteboard 4 Cancer. In Emma’s new role she will grow PK financially by working with alumni, friends and supporters in incorporating PK in their hobbies, celebrations and activities and raising funds to send more survivors to our live changing programs. Emma will also be managing a marketing intern in her new role (more on that later!) If you want to raise funds for PK while doing what you love, you can reach Emma at emma@projectkoru.org.
As we celebrate Emma, we are also sad to say that Project Koru is saying goodbye to Ximena Geisemann, lovingly known as “Willow”, after 2 years as our program coordinator. Ximena is leaving to focus all of her efforts on completing her graduate degree. Although she is saying goodbye to this particular role at PK, we know that her involvement with PK will continue through KB4C, fundraising, and serving as a volunteer.
Ximena (left) and Emma (right).
Willow put it best when she said, “you have all touched my life, whether you know it or not. Working here reminded me of some of life’s most precious truths: that some of the most beautiful things and lessons in life are born from deep suffering; that at the end of the day, it is people — relationships — that really matter; and, perhaps most poignantly, that we are never alone. It is with humility and awe that I thank all of you.”
You will be missed, Willow. Stay in touch with Ximena at ximenagiesemann@gmail.com.
While we are saying farewell to Ximena, we are simultaneously welcoming a new team member, Ed Cummings. Ed comes to us from the Encore program, a program that places retirees with nonprofits. Ed is no stranger to our organization; he has been a supporter and participant of Kiteboard 4 Cancer for years! Ed recently retired from Intel Corporation after 21 years as a factory manager in Operations as well as Research & Development. As he started to write this new chapter in his life, Ed realized he wanted to give something back. So when the opportunity arose to do that with Camp Koru and KB4C, it was a no brainer. In their free time, Ed, his partner, and cat Olaf like to indulge in kiteboarding, travel, mountain biking and snowboarding.
Finally, we are searching for another member to join our team as a Marketing Intern! This intern will be responsible for getting the PK brand out into the communities, as well as manage our awesome social media accounts. This position will have a lot of creative freedom and the chance to work on projects important to them. We strongly encourage survivors and fighters to apply. Know someone that might be interested? Pass this info along! Is that someone you? Apply here.
With so much going on over here, Fall is flying by. We know we threw a lot at you, but we hope you’ll take a moment this month to reflect on the work we are doing, reach out if you want to get involved, and support us if you can! Visit www.projectkoru.org to learn more and to make a donation. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any thoughts or questions; my proverbial door is always open!
With love,
Beth Peck
Executive Director
Project Koru