Founded 2001 Location Denver, Colorado, U.S. | Founder Brad Ludden | |
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Type Public charity non-profit organization Focus Young adult cancer
Outdoor adventure sports Area served United States, Costa Rica, Peru, Vietnam, Patagonia, and Bali | ||
First Descents is a charitable non-profit organization that gives a free outdoor adventure experience trip to young adults who are fighting cancer. Brad Ludden, a professional kayaker, founded First Descents in 2001 at age 20.
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"The program, designed for those 18 or older, is a weeklong camp that offers participants a chance to share what they are going through and then tackle another scary obstacle — running rapids in a kayak," the New York Times wrote about First Descents.
First Descent recruited a number of successful businesspeople to serve on the board of directors. Joel Appel, an entrepreneur who co-founded Orange Glo International which he sold for $325 million, sits on the board. Pete Worley, president of Teva and Simple Brands; and two former Google executives, Eva Ho and Jennifer Feiken, also sit on the board.
How it works
Before an adventure experience trip, staff members create unique goals for each participant. During the trip, participants attempt to meet their goals through participation in complete specific outdoor challenges. The challenges can include climbing, paddling, and surfing. For example, participants have paddled Class 2 rapids on the Colorado River.
Participants receive food, lodging, and activities free of charge. First Descents gives travel scholarships to participants who need them.
An onsite medical staff, including an oncologist, is present on all trips.
Brad Ludden
"Brad Ludden is a world-class whitewater kayaker," CNN wrote in 2012. He has kayaked in over 40 countries. He does what is known as a "first descent", meaning to successfully paddle over a river or section of a river that has never been done by anyone before. As of 2012, Ludden had completed over 100 first descents.
In 2007, Ludden turned over the running of the excursions to experienced staff members. The 19th installment of First Descents, which took place on the Colorado River in 2007, was the first expedition that Ludden didn't run.
Participation
In 2011, First Descents offered 27 outdoor programs. Two hundred eighty-three people participated. In 2012, the number of outdoor programs grew to 45. The number of participants grew to 515.
In 2013, First Descents ran programs in 12 states and 3 countries. Over 515 cancer patients participated in 2012. The current wait list is 1,000 people.
Out Living It documentary
First Descents founder Brad Ludden approached a filmmaker named Michael Brown, a three-time Emmy award winner and friend of Ludden's who specialized in documenting outdoor expeditions. After hearing about Ludden's organization, Brown agreed to direct a documentary about Ludden’s adventure experiences with cancer survivors.
First Descents launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund the documentary, and by April 2012 raised $21,507 from 142 people.
For one week, Ludden and 14 other young adult cancer survivors spend a week together in the outdoors. They go on physical adventures including kayaking through white water rapids and rock climbing. Brown filmed the adventures and interviewed the participants. In the video trailer, during a clip of a rock climbing scene, one man can be heard saying, "Trust is a great thing to have. Especially among people who have similar problems."
The film was released on April 14, 2012.