The physical devastation of cancer is obvious to the naked eye. You don’t need a microscope to see how uncontrolled cell growth ravages a patient’s body. And the treatment is no picnic either. What the naked eye can’t always see are the strains on a patient’s and a family’s mental health as they go through the emotional trauma that fighting cancer brings.
That’s exactly why The Flatwater Foundation exists. It is dedicated to providing those diagnosed with cancer and their families and loved ones access to mental health therapy and family support. The Foundation’s approach combines traditional and nontraditional methods of psychological counseling, while encouraging exercise and outdoor activities as ways of providing balance and mental well-being.
“The access to mental health support for individuals diagnosed with cancer, their families, and loved ones is critically important to helping those affected focus on navigating cancer, not the mental challenges of diagnosis,” Mark Garza, founder and executive director of The Flatwater Foundation told Austin.com.
That’s where Tyler’s Dam That Cancer comes in.
“We are deeply grateful for the continued success of our annual fundraising event, Tyler’s Dam That Cancer, and are excited to welcome the community to join us for the seventh year in a row. This year’s event will be bigger than ever and we hope to reach our fundraising goal of $500,000.”
On June 13, registered stand-up paddlers will travel 21 miles from Mansfield Dam on Lake Austin to Tom Miller Dam near Hula Hut. After their journey ends around 5:30 p.m., paddlers will kick back at a party to celebrate. Guests will enjoy a DJ on the Hewlett Stage, beer provided by KCCO, NadaMoo! ice cream and Mighty Swell cocktails. Raffle prizes will include various vacation home packages, a custom State of Texas themed wooden paddleboard, and more. Tyler’s Dam That Cancer Party guests who donate $200 or more will be granted access to the VIP section, with complimentary drinks and food provided by Stiles Switch BBQ and Brew.
So how can you get involved? This year’s opportunity to sign up as a paddler has passed, but you can support paddlers who have already begun fundraising. You can also volunteer or make a direct donation. All the particulars are available at the event’s online home.
Tyler’s Dam That Cancer is presented by Tyler’s with generous support from Hewlett Chevrolet & Volkswagen, Onnit, Rowing Dock, Preacher, Nixon, Roxy, and Quiksilver. Thanks to these sponsors, all the funds raised from sponsoring paddlers goes to fund The Flatwater Foundation’s programs.
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Feature photo: Copyright Slades Wake. Courtesy, The Flatwater Foundation.
