Give Now, Sail Later, Remember Forever

At Dockwa, we’ve always believed in the power of time on the water... how a few hours at sea can bring peace, perspective, and connection. Few organizations embody that truth more beautifully than Sail Beyond Cancer USA, a nonprofit dedicated to honoring those impacted by cancer through the healing experience of sailing. Founded in Burlington, Vermont, and now spanning multiple coastal chapters, the organization brings patients, caregivers, and loved ones together for what they call “mission sails” - moments to breathe, reflect, and simply feel the magic of the wind.

Give Now, Sail Later, Remember Forever

By Lynn Fitzpatrick - Sail Beyond Cancer 

“You have been nominated,” are four of the most cheerful words more people are hearing weeks, months, or even years after they heard the dreadful words, “You have cancer.” Sail Beyond Cancer USA’s next step in its national expansion is to begin hosting mission sails on Narragansett Bay in 2026 through its newest chapter, Sail Beyond Cancer Newport. 

“Cancer affects nearly one in three people in the United States. When you include family and friends, the experience is practically universal,” says Suzanne Snyder, Sail Beyond Cancer’s founder and national executive director. “I’ve lost my hair. I know what it feels like to hear those words. Thankfully, the odds of surviving the fear, sense of urgency, and helplessness that accompanies a cancer diagnosis are improving. Looking forward to a private, three-hour sail with friends and family becomes a North Star for everyone involved as they navigate through treatment.”

Prior to experiencing the double whammy of a non-cancer-related liver transplant followed by a cancer diagnosis, Shari, had been an avid paddleboarder and beachgoer. Her mission sail on Sail Beyond Cancer’s dedicated, donated 41.1 Beneteau Oceanis SOLACE gave her the opportunity to get out on the open water “and feel the wind on (her) newly bald head.”

Shari’s beaming smile brightened her glowing dome throughout her mission sail in June 2025. She reflected, “I am so deeply grateful for this experience. It’s been all ‘bad news’ since my February mammogram – just a non-stop train ride of appointments, conflicting recommendations for surgery (given that I also recently had a liver transplant due to an unrelated genetic condition), and then surgery itself, and the beginning of chemo. But since my husband nominated me for this sail, I’ve been so excited to come out here on the open water … and just breathe – as well as celebrate my loved ones. THANK YOU. You have uplifted and relaxed and helped me to feel healed and whole.”

Geoff, Shari’s husband, also expressed deep gratitude for the sailing experience, “Sickness and hospitalization seem to have defined our lives for so long, but getting out here on the water with friends and meeting new people has really given us a chance to be ourselves again, to leave all the surgeries, the medications, the scars and tests and chemo sessions back on shore and out of sight. We learned about you all totally by chance, but this gift will become the experience that we take with us throughout the rest of Shari’s recovery, long after the fear, sickness, and suffering falls away into the past.”

Shari’s friends – teachers, surveyors, and human resource workers for whom sailing “is something magical that feels somewhat out of reach,”  shared the excitement of the buildup to the mission sail too. For weeks, it was all her friends heard about. Not only was the sail an amazing memory and moment to carry Shari through her battle, one of her friends noted, “the whole trip was relaxing, fun, and magical. I almost fell asleep on the bow.”

Shari and hundreds of other mission sail beneficiaries are celebrating this holiday season, buoyed by the healing powers of wind, water, and sail. There are countless ways to contribute to Sail Beyond Cancer – volunteer, donate, nominate, visit SailBeyondCancer.org.

Learn More and Get Involved

Find out more about Sail Beyond Cancer’s existing chapters, the nomination process, volunteering, financial support, boat donation program, and memorial sails at www.SailBeyondCancer.org and follow the organization’s multiple chapters on Facebook.

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