Over 1.8 million nonprofits and charities for donors, volunteers and funders

2009 Top-Rated Nonprofit

First Descents

9,202 Pageviews Read Stories

 

 

Add to Favorites

Share this Nonprofit

Donate

Volunteering Oportunities

Nonprofit Overview

Causes: Camps, Health, Health Support, Sports

Mission: First Descents (FD) provides life-changing outdoor adventures for young adults (ages 18 to 39) impacted by cancer and other serious health conditions. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, First Descents is a leader in adventure-based healing. During its 20-year history, FD has served nearly 10,000 young adult survivors at over 1,000 programs nationwide to provide ongoing psychosocial supportive care. Furthermore, FD has established relationships with more than 450 medical centers to effectively reach patients closer to the time of diagnosis. Beginning in 2020, First Descents expanded programming to healthcare workers on the frontlines of COVID-19. While these free trauma relief programs were designed to address the immediate community needs of the ongoing pandemic, FD’s Board of Directors have approved these offerings to remain a long term service of the organization. Recognized for its commitment to operational excellence and overall impact, FD is a Guidestar Platinum-ranked nonprofit and was honored as a CNN Hero in 2016.

Community Stories

1 Story from Volunteers, Donors & Supporters

2

Marc Slatkoff, MD Professional with expertise in this field

Rating: 5

09/20/2009

First Descents is the most effective cancer survivor support organization I've been involved with during a career of over 30 years in oncology. Both participants and volunteers and empowered and enriched by the experience. Cancer survivors must get beyond victimhood to live full and happy lives- First Descents helps them rediscover the confident and capable person inside who may have gotten lost during the cancer journey.

Need help?