Gala sends adults with cancer to camp - Golden Transcript

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Hazel Senz will be fighting lung cancer the rest of her life.

But she said the bond she has made with other cancer patients gives her hope.

Senz, 58, was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer in March 2014. As a never-smoker and marathon runner, lung cancer came as a “huge blow.”

Three months after her diagnosis, Senz, a Golden resident, found Epic Experience — an Arvada-based nonprofit outdoor adventure camp for adult cancer survivors.

“When I went to camp it was really difficult for me to even say the words, `I have cancer,’” Senz recalled. “When everyone else is in the same boat, it makes you feel much more comfortable to talk about it.”

Senz said no topics were off-limits and an immediate bond was formed no matter the type of cancer.

“It was the first time I could connect with other people who had cancer,” Senz said. “Other people who walked the walk and had journeys that could never image, but they were smiling and they were OK. So, I thought this cancer doesn’t have to define me. I’m going to be OK.”

Epic Experience was founded in 2012 by Arvada resident Nancy Ferro after her oldest son, Michael, was diagnosed first with a benign brain tumor in 2007 and six months later with testicular cancer just as he was graduating from Regis University.

Ferro said the depression she saw in her son led to the creation of the camp programs.

Epic Experiences now holds about six to eight camps a year at a ranch three hours west of Denver for people 18 and older who have had a cancer diagnosis at any point in their lives.

In the summer, campers raft and kayak on the Colorado River, and in the winter snow shoeing and cross-country skiing are the main activities. Campers come from all over the country to attend the free camp.

After Senz’s camp experience, she wanted to help other people have the same experience, so she started volunteering. As a retired nurse, Senz lends her expertise to the medical team. She also helps with applications, calls campers and is involved in the organizations annual fundraising event, the Hearts and Hope Gala.

“The annual Hearts and Hope Gala is more than just a time to come together and celebrate with friends, it’s a time to remember the Epic Experience campers we have lost and to raise money to reach more adult cancer thrivers to live beyond cancer,” Nancy Ferro said.

This year’s gala will be held Feb. 9 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Denver. The event raises fund to allow campers to attend camp free of charge.

At the event, Senz will be recognized as the Giver Award Recipient for her volunteer efforts. Jamie Bachman, executive director of oncology services at UCHealth Cancer Center in Aurora will also be recognized with the Hero Award.

“I’m such a true believer in Epic Experience because there aren’t a whole lot of camps out there for adults of all ages,” Senz said. “I think that lends itself to connecting with people in their 20s all the way to their 70s. It doesn’t matter how old you are you always have something to share and something to gain.”



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