Our Planned Nomad Adventures

You can also click here to see our Calendar of our events and planned locations.
If you have questions about our upcoming plans, read our Nomad Q&As page for more info.

Below you’ll find a list of all the events, conferences, and cancer camps we have scheduled so far.

ASCO Annual Meeting 

May 30 – June 4
Chicago, Illinois

ASCO (American Society of Clinical Oncology) is a huge oncology conference that happens every year. I’m talking about thirty to forty thousand people attending across any and all subspecialties related to cancer. It’s the land of information, education, and opportunity for me. I’m so excited I can hardly stand it! 

Camp Breasties 

June 6 – 9 

Kent, Connecticut

Think part-summer camp/part-cancer conference for anyone impacted by breast and gynecologic cancer. Camp Breasties is another huge annual event put on by one of the first breast cancer support groups I ever attend, the Breasties. I was directed there by my amazing oncology nurse case manager Stacey. The Breasties brought me my real life breasties, Alex and El, who are now two of my closest and dearest friends. We will be reunited at camp this year, as all three of us are attending!!!! Cancer groups are sacred spaces where I feel most at ease and myself. I’m so excited for this magical event. 

New York City

June 10 – 14

There are no specific events happening for us to spend time in “the city,” as my friends from SHARE Cancer call it. It’s just a place I’ve never been and want to see. We’ve got a few plans while we are in town; like dinner at The Modern inside the Museum of Modern Art, seeing Cabaret, and I’ll be getting together with some friends from SHARE. 

First Descents

Julia: June 16 – 21 (Hood River, Oregon)

Mitch: August 18 – 23 (Rogue River, Oregon)

First Descents is an adventure camp for young adults impacted by cancer and other serious health conditions. Mitch and I will both be attending separate white water rafting/kayaking experiences in Oregon. For me, these groups always leave me in awe at how much my body can do. It’s a safe place to test my limits where everyone just understands and a time to connect with other AYA cancer patients on a deeper level. For Mitch—he’s attending a caregiver kayaking camp and I’m just excited he gets to go take some time away from caregiving. He so deserves it. 

While each of us are on our trips, the other person will be hanging with Oliver in Omaha. 

Kiteboard for Cancer 

July 6 – 7

Hood River, Oregon

Kiteboard for Cancer is Project Koru’s biggest fundraising event every year. Mitch and I will be volunteering at the event. Project Koru hosts the coolest adventure camps for young adults with cancer. They are the group I went to Costa Rica with that really helped me transition into survivorship. I could go on for days about the magic that is Project Koru, but that’s another blog for another day. 

Travel Down the West Coast

July 8 – 26

For almost 3 weeks in July, we will be traveling down the west coast to reach our next stop on our trip. If you live on the west coast or have any recommendations, please reach out! 

Project Lead

July 29 – August 3 

La Jolla, CA 

Project Lead is a 6-day science training program put on by the National Breast Cancer Coalition. The purpose is to prepare patient advocates so that they can participate at every level that breast cancer research and funding decisions are made. 

Travel through the South West

August 5 – 14

The next stop on the journey takes us to Texas. We are going to travel there over almost a 2-week period. I really want to see the Grand Canyon on this part of the journey. Probably stop in Vegas to see my brother too, but I haven’t confirmed that yet. Again, let me know if you’re in that area! 

Cancer Con 

August 15 – 18

Austin, Texas 

Cancer Con was one of the first national conferences put on for AYA cancer patients. It is put on by one of the first AYA nonprofits, Stupid Cancer. This will be our second time attending the event. Mitch and I went in 2022 when it was in Minnesota. Cancer Con will always be special to me because it’s where I found my first AYA community. I found out about a lot of the nonprofits I’m involved with and got tons of resources. Plus it’s very near Houston (at least to me) so a lot of my MD Anderson friends will be there this year!!!! 

Cancer Camp

August 29 – September 1

Western Pennsylvania at Camp Kon-O-Kwee 

Cancer Camp is a literal summer camp for 100 AYA cancer patients and caregivers. It is put on by AYA cancer magazine Elephants and Tea, and Young Adult Survivors United. This will be our first time attending but from what I hear it’s another magical spot full of community. 

YSC Wellness Summit

September 20 – 22

Bonita Springs, Florida

Young Survival Coalition (YSC) is the breast cancer group Mitch hosts a co-survivor group for. This event is designed to help survivors and their caregivers build better health, well being, and resilience. 

The Ultimate IBC Meetup 

October 4 – 6

Boston, Massachusetts 

The Ultimate IBC Meetup is put on every year by the IBC Network Foundation. This will be my second year attending. It is a time for IBC patients to get together to tour labs, learn the latest in IBC research/treatment, and be with others who have this specific cancer. It’s a beautiful time. 

San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium

December 10 – 14

San Antonio, Texas 

This is the premier breast cancer conference where the latest and greatest research is presented. Any sort of new breakthrough is pretty much always debuted here. I think it’s obvious why I want to attend. 

So that’s it…..for now. I’m sure there will be more added as time goes on. As always, have a magical day!

Subscribe
Notify of
2 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Coleen
7 months ago

Incredible!! Safe travels! Be well❤️

Carmen White
7 months ago

Be safe!