Setting Sail For Cancer

“Honoring those being challenged by cancer by harnessing the healing powers of wind, water and sail.” This is the mission of Sail Beyond Cancer Annapolis (SBCA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to putting the winds back in the sails of cancer patients throughout Anne Arundel County.

“Sail Beyond Cancer offers boat rides, completely free of charge, to cancer patients – a brief respite from their struggles, where they can relax and spend time with loved ones out on the open water,” said Suzanne Snyder, interim executive director of Sail Beyond Cancer Annapolis. “On this ride, for just a while, they take the helm and control their destiny.”

As a cancer survivor, Snyder aspires to help others with their struggle.

“Sail Beyond Cancer was started in Burlington, Vermont, in 2014 with our first cancer mission sails offered in the summer of 2014,” she said. “Since then, we have changed the name and have added two more chapters: Sail Beyond Cancer North Shore, Massachusetts, and Sail Beyond Cancer Annapolis.”

SBCA provides three-hour private respite sails for cancer patients and their loved ones.

“The sails are kept short to accommodate the needs of cancer patients,” Snyder said. “And if they start to feel bad at any point, we turn the boat around.”

Although brief, these rides are packed with enough memories, warmth and relaxation to last a lifetime.

“We invite the cancer patients to bring friends and family members, allowing them to share the experience as they sail, talk, bond, de-stress and take pictures,” Snyder said. “Cancer, after all, affects not only the patient but their family and friends as well. Here, everyone gets a respite.”

Anyone in treatment for any type of cancer, regardless of their age, income or other life circumstances, is eligible to sail with SBCA.

And those who sail appreciate the ride.

“Words cannot express how thankful we are that we were given this opportunity. Living through cancer a second time, I have learned to appreciate and value every single moment in life as we are not guaranteed the next,” wrote Brittnay, a breast cancer patient, in a testimonial submitted to Sail Beyond Cancer. “Thank you for giving me those moments; we could not have asked for a better day. God bless you in all that you do.”

The SBCA Annapolis chapter was founded in 2022. It is nearly an all-volunteer organization with more than 72 individual volunteers – a team that features 38 captain and crew members. This 501(c)3 is led by a board of three individuals and an executive director.

During its first season in 2022, SCBA Annapolis provided 27 sails to 130 passengers. In its second season in 2023, SCBA Annapolis expanded its offerings to 66 sails for 344 passengers.

Snyder cited research that indicates that support networks are directly linked with increased quality of life and a reduction of stress for cancer patients. To her, a good sail is the ultimate source of support and rest for those dealing with cancer.

“Life on the ocean is similar to life with cancer in that the trek is always a little uncertain,” she said. “But on our boats, it's all smooth sailing for a while.”

Perhaps the most crucial part of the program is how it makes patients and their families feel. Severna Park resident Jim Snider was nominated by his son for a sail after his cancer returned. The big motivation for the request was that, post-treatment, it would no longer be safe for Snider to be out on the water. SBCA Annapolis granted that request, leaving a grateful Snider to praise their program.

“My children and their spouses came from Tennessee, New York and Vermont to spend time with me on a sailing excursion with Sail Beyond Cancer Annapolis,” he said. “It was a great family talk-fest and feast for everyone's senses, including a bounty of delicious food my children prepared. Within days, I would have a laryngectomy, losing my voice box permanently. And it is now two months since I've been able to eat anything without a feeding tube, which means no smelling or tasting my food and eating the same vitamin-enriched, milk-like mixture day in and out. What a contrast from that spectacular, sensory-rich day on the Chesapeake! If you have the opportunity, I highly recommend a sail with this organization.”

To learn more about the program or to support SBCA Annapolis, visit www.sailbeyondcancer.org.