As we prepare to kick-off our 7^th Odyssey, we are thrilled to announce that a film crew will join us in Lima, Peru to help share this powerful story. Los Angeles based reality TV producer and breast cancer survivor, Dana Buning, will work with a crew of seasoned film and television professionals to document our participants’ journey. The content produced will be shared through our website and other online platforms. This week, we’ve invited Dana to take the mic and share her story.

For someone who has received a life-threatening diagnosis, the chance to visit a faraway land and see one of the most inspiring places in the world is powerful, because it answers the question that arises on the heels of such a diagnosis: “Will I ever get to see that?” When I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 31, nothing about my future felt certain. So when, three years later, I had the privilege of climbing Huayna Picchu and watching as the fog dispersed to reveal the ruins of Machu Picchu below, it was one of the most memorable moments of my life.

Now, I will have the opportunity to capture that moment on film when A Fresh Chapter participants visit Machu Picchu as part of the Peru Odyssey volunteer program. As a survivor, I am excited to see the participants experience the awe I felt, but I also can’t wait for them to find fulfillment through service and build connections with each other – all while challenging their ideas of what’s possible.

As a storyteller, I’m thrilled to have the chance to tell this story and for my connection to A Fresh Chapter to come full circle. I first discovered AFC a couple of years after my trip to South America, when a fellow survivor sent me a link and said, “Hey. Look what this girl is doing.” It was a link about Terri, A Fresh Chapter, and the first odyssey to New Delhi. At a time when I was skeptical of my chosen path, I was fascinated to see that a contemporary was boldly forging her own path, literally constructing the future that called to her.

Reaching out to Terri was an exercise in humility, because while I felt drawn to connect with her, I wasn’t sure what I had to offer in return. I was not ready to make such bold moves in my own life, but I know that I began to subconsciously reevaluate what might be possible.

My work as a reality TV producer has never been dull. At times it’s been thrilling and satisfying, and I feel extremely fortunate to have a career that’s given me the chance to travel, meet interesting people, and flex my creative muscles. But every so often I’ve found myself craving more meaning in what I do. I wondered if I could find a way to use my professional experience in reality television to help create a better reality. When the possibility arose to join Terri in Peru to document the Fresh Chapter Odyssey, I knew I had found a chance to tell a transformative story and have a positive impact on the world. And so, the first Reality For A Better Reality project was conceived.

I am incredibly lucky to be joined by a crew of passionate professionals who are similarly inspired to do meaningful work. We are all excited by the chance to tell stories that can transcend borders and provide a message of hope and positivity to individuals who have been impacted by cancer.

I am grateful to Lilly Oncology and Lilly’s Connecting Hearts Abroad Program. Their support of patients beyond the realm of medicine is an inspiration. Without it, this shoot would not be possible.

Finally, the crew and I would like to thank A Fresh Chapter and all of its brave participants for embracing us in this experience and entrusting us to tell their stories.