Makenzie’s Adventure
At 13 years old, doctors found a 5 lb tumor in MaKenzie’s abdomen, throwing her family into 9 months of surgeries, hospital stays, and a very aggressive treatment plan, including 14 weeks of chemo.
She wrapped up her treatment by spending Christmas day on the cancer ward, while other kids were home opening gifts!
Two weeks later she was ready to adventure with Called Beyond Adventures and celebrate the end of her cancer treatment!
First Stop: Scheels!
Called Beyond and Scheels teamed up to give MaKenzie a shopping spree to gear her up for her hunt (and hopefully many hunts to come.)
We were told that the part of the adventure she was most looking forward to was getting some camo! And camo she got!
MaKenzie had never been to Scheels,
so we made sure to have all the fun they had to offer!!
Ferris Wheel – Bowling – Shooting
From there, we headed to the range so Makenzie could practice.
Makenzie’s tenacity came through once again. After some challenging shots and a few misses, she wouldn’t give up until she succeeded!!
CBA will often serve as the guides for families on our adventures. At other times we find outfitters to team up with so that our focus can be on the kiddos.
For this adventure we reached out to a local outfitter to handle all the details of the morning hunt for us.
Although the birds didn’t cooperate and we got skunked that morning, the heart and mission of CBA was a success:
- We were able to give the family an adventure together- a reprieve from surgeries, chemo, noisy hospital rooms, and swarming doctors.
- We were able to celebrate Makenzie’s life and the hope of new beginnings for her.
- We were able to get her geared up so that she can continue adventuring in the outdoors and, perhaps, gained a new hobby.
Relationships were made, new experiences were had, and lessons were learned!
As any hunter knows, it’s not always the harvest that produces the best memories, it’s being in the field together, it’s the preparation, the anticipation, the laughter, the quiet moments to reflect, and the bonds made.
It’s watching the sunrise and knowing that the God that created it gives us each day we have breath to live with purpose, for Him.
Sponsors
Thank you to the companies and organizations that made this adventure possible.
