Humble Reflections…

As Executive Director, day-to-day operations for Project Koru are often administrative in nature - budgeting, forecasting, philanthropic asks, spreadsheets, and board meetings. But last week, I was reimmersed into the koru continuum when I headed to Maui to manage Project Koru's 41st Camp Koru program. To be honest, I struggled to take a pause from the priorities in my inbox for this trip.

Spoiler: I am SO glad I did. The magic of Koru and working alongside stellar volunteer leadership to support the lives of 15 young adult cancer survivors brings me back to our purpose at Project Koru. 

We’re here to support Jersey, a woman who screamed and jumped for joy (while riding a wave!) when her body finally powered through and caught her first wave. 

We’re here for North, who was finally able to open up and express her pent up emotions and fears after years of struggle, amongst those who understood exactly what she was going through.  

We’re here for Jubilee, who lost all sense of family after diagnosis 3 years ago, and was able to regain it within the arms of her fellow survivors.  

We’re here for Boo, who came to camp lost and unsure of his future, and discovered his natural and brilliant eye for beauty, prompting him to start a photography company when he went home. 

When I work at camp, I walk the beach at night alone to decompress. I walk in the silence of the night, paying close attention to the sound of the waves, the mountains above me, and the ocean beside me. Without fail, I feel a wash of peace. Though the mountains are high, I know they are climbable. Though the ocean is vast, I know there’s a shore that can be reached. I know these things not only from my own journey through cancer and survivorship, but also by watching the campers. These survivors climb their mountains and swim their seas every day. Their mountains may be fear, infertility, loss of self, and lack of confidence. Their seas may be continued lifelong treatment, surgeries, scars. 

Watching a survivor overcome mountains and oceans in one week is absolutely inspiring. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day to-do list, but these humble moments remind me of the beauty of our survivor-led organization.

So as I walked along the beach, I thought - they’ll be back. As leaders, mentors, and community members, poised to support the next wave of survivors. I’m honored to witness it, and I'm grateful that you're part of this growing community. 
 

Humbly, 

Beth "Vi" Peck
Executive Director