September 22, 2025
Hi Friends,
On Sunday, I returned home from Scotts Valley after one of the most joyful weekends I’ve had in a long time: Camp Weiser, a camp for adults with cancer and their families to simply forget about their illness for a few days and just have fun. The best part? It’s completely FREE!
Pictured in our family photo are me, my husband Charles, Lissa and Nate from Raw Food Romance, my local friends Maureen and Trish, and my improv comedy teacher, the amazing Patrick Bristow, who volunteered his time teaching improv.
🌲 Life Among the Redwoods
Nestled in the stunning Santa Cruz Mountains, where the redwoods stretch up to the sky, we spent three glorious days doing everything from archery, rock climbing, and hiking to yoga and zip lining. We even got henna tattoos and had our faces painted!
There were endless arts and crafts opportunities. My favorite was tie-dye. Here’s my very first creation!
🎭 Laughter, Dancing & Connection
The schedule was filled with improv sessions, laughter yoga, and even caregiver support classes. But my absolute favorite? The Saturday night hoedown, where we square danced for hours. Believe it or not, this was the first time Charles and I ever danced — even our wedding didn’t get us on the dance floor!
And oh, the pampering! Manicures, pedicures, massages, facials, haircuts, thoughtful gifts, plus a car wash and a $50 gas card for the trip home. They thought of everything.
| 🔥 Opening CeremonyFriday evening, we gathered around a fire for a moving opening ceremony. Each of us wrote down our deepest wishes on a scroll, then released them into the flames. It was symbolic, healing, and unforgettable.Yet the most powerful part of camp wasn’t the activities, but the people — campers, families, and the incredible volunteers. Many of the volunteers were children or grandchildren of loved ones who once attended camp and are no longer with us. Their presence and generosity were deeply touching. |
| ❤️ How You Can HelpCamp Weiser is 100% volunteer-run and donation-funded. If every person receiving today’s newsletter donated just $3, they’d be fully funded for next year and could send 35 families to camp. You can make a tax deductible donation here: 👉 Donate HereI plan to return next year — this time as a volunteer. Will you join me? |
| 💉 Back to RealityNow it’s back to real life. After a three-month break, I return to Stanford tomorrow for Keytruda infusion #4. This time the dose will be adjusted by weight and the infusion stretched over two hours, followed by saline. I’m hopeful this will mean far fewer side effects. |
Love & Kale, Chef AJ.