Meet Terrell – She’s Done It All with Sail Beyond Cancer

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.

Meet Terrell – She’s Done It All with Sail Beyond Cancer

By Lynn Fitzpatrick - Sail Beyond Cancer 

Terrell’s connection to Sail Beyond Cancer began long before she ever set foot on a sailboat. As exercise partners, she and her friend Suzanne Snyder often exchanged ideas and encouragement. In early 2014 when Suzanne was diagnosed with breast cancer, she envisioned creating meaningful respite experiences for others facing cancer. Terrell urged her friend to “run with it.” Within a year, Suzanne had gathered a dedicated team of volunteers, offering three-hour healing sails on Lake Champlain. Eventually, the non-profit grew into Sail Beyond Cancer Vermont, Sail Beyond Cancer USA’s first of five chapters.

Later in 2014, when Terrell’s husband, Steve, was diagnosed with metastatic cancer, Suzanne immediately said, “Let’s get Steve out on a sail,” making him one of the organization’s first nominees. The experience was profoundly healing for Terrell’s family, who had always turned to the ocean to “cleanse their souls.” A year later, when Terrell received her own cancer diagnosis, Suzanne again stepped in again and brought both Steve’s and Terrell’s families together for a powerful, restorative sail. Attests Terrell, “Those three hours were a rare and welcomed gift of time together, away from cancer, creating a moment of love and connection that my family and I  carry with us forever.”

After Steve’s passing, Suzanne encouraged Terrell to learn to sail and volunteer. With a strong background in bank management and as the owner of her family’s insurance agency, Terrell stepped confidently into the essential role of chapter scheduler while also learning the ropes on the water.

As both a survivor and volunteer, Terrell embodies the heart of Sail Beyond Cancer. She personally calls each nominee, coordinates with their guests, and navigates treatment schedules with compassion and flexibility. One of her greatest joys is crewing on the mission sails she has arranged, meeting nominees whose stories she already knows. Like many volunteers touched by cancer, she brings empathy, steadiness, and genuine care to every journey.

Having served as a nominator, nominee, scheduler, crew member, board member, and chapter utility player, Terrell truly reflects Sail Beyond Cancer’s mission—honoring those facing cancer by harnessing the healing  of wind, water, and sail. 

Sail Beyond Cancer, USA’s Executive Director, Suzanne Snyder says with humility and thanks, “Sail Beyond Cancer exists because of people like Terrell—volunteers who show up with heart, patience, and empathy. Our Mission sails are made possible through the generosity of individual donors, foundations, and corporate supporters who believe that families facing cancer deserve more than survival—they deserve moments of peace, joy, and connection.”

If you know an individual currently facing cancer, they may be nominated for a respite sail through any Sail Beyond Cancer chapter, located in Burlington, VT; Salem, MA; Annapolis, MD; Gloucester Point, VA; and Newport, RI. All chapters—particularly the newest in Newport—actively welcome volunteers in a variety of roles, including those who wish to contribute remotely as schedulers. Additional information and opportunities to support the organization are available at SailBeyondCancer.org/support.

This is what Sail Beyond Cancer is all about: Free, private, three-hour sailing excursions that give cancer patients and their loved ones a chance to leave cancer ashore.

Nominate. Donate. Volunteer.
Together, we are making a difference—One Sail at a Time®.

Learn More at SailBeyondCancer.org

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