“Without a sense of caring, there can be no sense of community.” - Anthony J. D'Angelo

A community is what happens when people are unified through something that they share in common, whether it be a perspective, place, goal or interest. “It takes a village” is another phrase that suggests a coming-together: as in, “it takes a village to raise a child.” My experience with the Sole to Soul MPN™ fundraising trek allowed me to experience community many times over, as well as an unexpected “it takes a village.”

The morning we were to head to Waterton via Calgary, we got confirmation from my parents that they had tested positive for COVID. Mike and I looked at each other, minds racing. The kids were supposed to board a plane that afternoon to fly into Kelowna, where my dad and Darlene were going to pick them up and bring them back to the Shuswap to stay with them for the four nights that we were gone. What were we going to do?

What happened in the next couple of hours was truly a village jumping into action to ensure two mostly good, mostly reasonable teenagers were going to be taken care of for the next five days. Mike’s sister was able to take them in for the first two nights. Our good friends, Aubrey and Ayesha, filled in for the other two nights, popping in to take them out for ice cream, meals and a movie to keep them occupied and “out of trouble.” Nearby favorite person, Kasha, assured me someone would always be home at her place if there was an emergency and promised to check in as well. Frenzied phone calls, texts, a quick trip to the grocery store and check-ins with neighbors left us feeling confident that everything was going to be okay. We took deep breaths, jumped into our van and left before anyone could change their mind.

“We don't heal in isolation, but in community.” - S. Kelley Harrell

One of the main reasons I wanted to take part of this event was so that I could meet other people with the same diagnosis as me. I knew this was going to be a highlight, but I was still surprised by how *good* it felt to be able to talk to others who really understood what I was going through. “You’re giving me goosebumps!” another patient with an MPN said to me as I shared my story. It was such a relief to hear others put the feelings and thoughts I was still struggling to understand myself into concrete words. It made me feel less alone.

The community I felt over these four days came from more than just other patients. Everyone who was there, whether a supporter, sponsor, representative, photographer or guide, were bringing their own unique strength to support and lift us up. A lot of work was clearly put into making this event happen by a great many people with big hearts, and I know that work will continue to happen as we emerge from these four days re-energized, armed with new connections and an even bigger sense of community.

Finally, the feeling of community and connection I felt from friends and family near and far, through face-to-face contact or social media channels, really lifted me up. Thank you to everyone who reached out, donated, and sent good thoughts. Each act of kindness is truly appreciated from the bottom of my heart.