Cancer Survivor Retreats
Send It Foundation & Luna Vida Adventures
January 18 - 23, 2026
February 22- 27, 2026
March 15 - 20, 2026
Retreats Designed to Inspire, Invigorate & Renew Your Spirit
At Luna Vida, we offer nature- and adventure-based retreats near Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, specially created for cancer patients and survivors. These transformative experiences invite participants to step beyond the walls — and weight — of the cancer journey, reconnecting with joy, strength, and possibility in one of the world’s most stunning natural settings.
Our retreats combine the thrill of outdoor adventure with the grounding power of mindful healing. Participants may find themselves white water rafting, surfing warm Pacific waves, leaping into waterfalls, and exploring lush rainforests — rediscovering courage and vitality with each step.
Equally important are the quiet moments: yoga, meditation, forest bathing, cacao ceremonies, and healing intention circles offer space to reflect, restore, and reconnect with self and community.
Every activity is an invitation to remember this: you are limitless, and the strength within you is deeper than you ever imagined.
About Send It Foundation
Send It was founded by Jamie Schou, an outdoor enthusiast from Truckee, California, who was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer in 2012. During his two-year battle with cancer, he continued to embrace his love for adventure and the outdoors with a commitment to live each day to the fullest.
Jamie started Send It one year before passing away in 2014. Today, his legacy continues by providing young adult cancer fighters and survivors with incredible outdoor adventures and community.
SEND IT FOUNDATION MANIFESTO
One day, there will be a cure for cancer.
Until there is, we fight.
Doctors and scientists fight with treatments and tests, therapies and surgeries. We fight cancer with things hospitals and labs can’t provide.
We fight by going outside.
We fight with bikes and skis and surfboards. We fight with fresh air, altitude, adrenaline, and adventure of all kind. We fight on the mountain, in the ocean. We fight from the sand, from the hot tub and from the porch.
We fight with good food and even better meals. We fight with laughter, and tears, and tears of laughter.
We fight by telling stories and making new ones. We fight by creating community and camaraderie.
We fight with positivity and gratitude. We fight for it.
We fight for each moment because each day is a beautiful gift.
Adventure Awaits
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Your Mornings
Rise and shine with yoga, a morning walk, or meditation on the river followed by a healthy and hearty breakfast.
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Your Days
Head out for surfing at the beach, white water rafting, exploring waterfalls, or hanging bridges. Soak it all in, push your limits, and enjoy every moment!
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Your Evenings
Enjoy some down time to journal, sit in a hammock, head down to the river, or read a book. Enjoy a warm meal and bonfire with friends.
Staying at Chorro Ecolodge
“Stay close to nature; it will never fail you.”
Nestled in the rainforest, overlooking the Naranjo River, you will rise with the sun and cacophony of tropical birds and fall asleep to the flowing river and unique rainforest night sounds. Chorro Ecolodge has been a family heart project with the goal of bringing folks together to heal in nature. Our double and triple glamping safari-style tents are equipped with extremely comfortable beds, ceiling fans, and private bathrooms with hot showers overlooking the jungle.
My Cancer Story
In 2015, I lost my father to neuroendocrine cancer. Like many, I never imagined that “this” could happen to me. Then in October 2022, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I underwent a bilateral mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, and later, reconstructive surgery.
This experience changed me — not just physically, but spiritually and emotionally. The importance of living in the present and taking life one day at a time has never been clearer.
Throughout treatment, I discovered how essential it was to hold onto the things that brought me joy. I felt immense gratitude for my passions and the incredible place I call home, where I could still get out into nature — even on the hard days. Mountain biking, rainforest hikes, ocean swims, surfing, and yoga became lifelines, grounding me and lifting my spirit. Prioritizing those moments, however small, made a world of difference in how I felt — physically, mentally, and emotionally.
One day during treatment, I spoke with a new friend who had also been through cancer. She shared that even though her treatment had ended, and the world expected her to return to “normal,” she still felt overwhelmed and unsure of how to truly move forward. “I feel like I could really use a retreat,” she said. That moment stayed with me.
I began reflecting on what my husband Leo and I had been building — Luna Vida and his dream of Chorro Ecolodge — spaces rooted in nature, adventure, and deep connection to Costa Rican culture. I realized that what I wanted most was to create experiences that support the healing journeys of others, just as nature had supported mine.
And so, a new path became clear: to offer retreats for those touched by cancer, creating extraordinary, nurturing spaces where people can reconnect with themselves, with others who understand, and with the incredible healing power of nature.
This is my purpose now — to help others heal, thrive, and rediscover joy here in the magical country I’m lucky enough to call home.
