About Living Journeys
Living Journeys provides financial assistance, emotional support, and enrichment programs to Gunnison County residents affected by cancer.
Our History
Living Journeys was founded in 2003 by Mary Mike Haley, Dana Zobs, and Cheryl Ryan. The idea grew out of the Breast Cancer Fund’s “Peak Hike,” which Dana brought to Mt. Crested Butte in 1999. When funds from that event were returned to the community, the founders saw the need for a local cancer support organization and formed Living Journeys.
Mary Mike initially led support groups, but soon recognized the heavy financial strain cancer places on individuals and families. When the Breast Cancer Fund stepped back from hosting the hike, Dana encouraged Mary Mike to continue it locally. With a $10,000 seed gift and the help of Alice Arnold to establish nonprofit status, Living Journeys was born—committed from the start to both emotional and financial support for people facing all types of cancer.
Cheryl Ryan, who was living with inflammatory breast cancer, envisioned a community of hope, comfort, and strength for patients, survivors, and their families. Her vision helped shape Living Journeys’ programs, which now include financial grants, counseling, and enrichment services that ease burdens and provide tools to navigate the fear, anxiety, and challenges of a cancer diagnosis.
Our Impact
The impact we have made in our community
Living Journeys provides essential support, resources, and community connection to individuals and families impacted by cancer in Gunnison County. Our efforts have helped to improve the lives of many and we are committed to continuing to make a difference.
Living Journeys provides direct financial grants to Gunnison County residents to help relieve the financial burden of a cancer diagnosis.
Every week, Living Journeys provides healthy, homemade meals and customized food boxes to our clients who are in the thick of treatment or need support while recovering.
Living Journeys offers private therapy grants and referrals to therapist partners for all Gunnison Valley residents impacted by cancer. We want to ensure that no one has to go through cancer alone.
Media
Stories and Features
A collection of articles, interviews, and features where our work has been shared beyond this space. These stories speak to the heart of what we do—walking alongside Gunnison Valley community members and their families as they face cancer.
Colorado Sun: Gunnison Valley Answers Annual Call
August 3, 2026
The 27th annual Living Journeys Summit Hike attracts more than 400 to the summit of Mount Crested Butte “on the day of the year we all show up.” Read Article
Gunnison Country Times: A Car, a community, and a second wind.
August 13, 2026
Read the full article HERE
Older Articles
Front Page Crested Butte News
The Summit Hike photo appeared on the front page of the Crested Butte News July 31, 2026.
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Polar Pioneer Eric Larsen
Nearly 30 years of polar exploration and a years-long cancer fight has provided the Crested Butte dad an inspiring perspective on resilience and the need for adventure.
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Feature on KBUT Site
Hear an Interview with Julie Reid and Avery Forsythe aired on our local Gunnison KBUT radio station.
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Karuna Project
December 23, 2025. Learn about the locally run Crested Butte Karuna project and it ties to Living Journeys.
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Tim Skafidas
August 27, 2025. Tim Skafidas has been an avid fundraiser for Living Journeys since 2009 and was part of their Ski for Hope program and he smiles that he has all the shirts to prove it.
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Summit Hike
July 23, 2025. Living Journeys Summit Hike returns to Mt. Crested Butte this Saturday, July 26
Board of Directors
Patrick O'Neill, Board President
Retired Teacher & Owner/Operator of O’Neill Painting
Patrick O’Neill is originally from Northern New York and he moved to Crested Butte in 1986. After teaching at the Crested Butte Community School for 28 years, he retired and now owns a small painting business. He has seen far too many friends, family members, and locals suffer from and die from cancer over the past 34 years.
He has been a PROUD board member of Living Journeys for six years, and is officially a Defensive Linebacker Against Cancer.
Eric Larsen, Board Vice President
Polar Adventurer, Expedition Guide, & Educator
Eric Larsen has spent the past 25 years traveling in some of the most remote and extreme environments on the planet. To date, he has completed more North and South Pole expeditions than any other American in history. Included in that list is a world record adventure to the North Pole, South Pole and top of Mt. Everest all in one year. Eric’s adventure interests and accomplishments span a wide variety of outdoor disciplines including a first ascent in the Himalayas in Nepal, dog sled expeditions and racing, winter bike adventures, multi sport traverses and much more.
In January 2021, Eric was diagnosed with stage 3b colorectal cancer and after a difficult year and a half battle is currently “NED” (No Evidence of Disease). He is currently writing a book detailing his ‘cancer expedition’.
Eric has dedicated his adult life to sharing his love for the outdoor world with others. As an educator, he strives to connect people to places and issues. Originally from Wisconsin, Eric now lives in Crested Butte with his wife Maria and two young children Merritt and Ellie. His current no shower record is 72 days.
Megan Reamer, Board Treasurer
Co-Founder of Jackson's Honest
Megan Reamer is the co-founder of Jackson’s Honest. As it’s CEO, Megan and her husband started Jackson’s Honest as a way to share both their son Jackson’s story and the delicious sweet potato chips that were a key component of his low-inflammation diet.
Megan is a seasoned C-suite executive and CPG visionary, taking Jackson’s Honest from her kitchen to $10 million in revenue within three years and exiting the business to a PE group six years later. In her role as CEO, she brought to bear a wide breadth of skills across strategy, finance, regulatory, channel, operations, sales, and supply chain management.
She built a management team capable of executing on a national CPG strategy, raised more than $25mmin equity, debt, and working capital, and orchestrated national media coverage across different platforms, including national television, print, radio, and digital channels for a portfolio of 25+ products across three categories of salty snack.
Megan and her husband appeared on the season premiere of Shark Tank in October 2017. They successfully closed a deal with the former CMO of Coca-Cola and venture capitalist Rohan Oza for $1,250,000. In July 2020, they sold a majority stake in Jackson’s Honest to a private equity firm.
Heather Duryea, Board Secretary
Educator & Private Tutor
Heather moved to Crested Butte in 1996 and is honored to rejoin the board as secretary after taking a hiatus as board treasurer. She has held various roles in the school district including teacher, Deaf Education Consultant, and long term substitute. She has worked for CHIP (Colorado Home Intervention Program) providing services to infants and toddlers who are Deaf or hard of hearing. Heather served as the Stewardship Coordinator for the Crested Butte Land Trust, whose mission she values and supports to this day. Over the past several years she has focused on teaching reading to students with dyslexia. She has a BA in Biology, MA in Special Education: The Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and has advanced training in Orton Gillingham—a multisensory method used to teach literacy.
Heather loves sports, the outdoors, and spending time with her twin daughters and husband. She is deeply impressed by the dedication and determination of her fellow board members and staff. Having seen far too many friends and family impacted by cancer, she hopes to humbly serve those who are affected.
Jill Wolfson, Board Member
Yoga Instructor & CB Nordic Youth Coach
Jill Wolfson lives in Crested Butte Colorado with her husband, Bill and her daughter, Ivy. They love playing on the mountain whether on bikes or skis and feel very fortunate to live in such a beautiful valley with an amazingly supportive community! Jill received her BS in Psychology from the University of Saint Catherine. She is passionate about fitness as she has been teaching yoga since 2007. She also coaches the youth through the Crested Butte Nordic Center! Jill was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020 and reached out to Living Journeys for support and was totally blown away by everything that living journeys offers to those going through the fight of their life. She is excited to be on the board to help an organization that is near and dear to her heart!
Kim Spencer, Board Member
Retired Accountant & Current Office Manager at Three Rivers Resort
Kim Spencer was born and raised in Burlington, Wisconsin. After moving around a bit, she and her family settled in northeastern Wisconsin for the next 25 years where she worked as the accountant/office manager for a local industry. Kim was involved in many community activities including town board treasurer and school board member. She is also an EMT with over 25 years of experience. After visiting Colorado many times over the years and having a daughter move to Gunnison Kim and her husband Brian decided to follow suit. They have been here over a year.
Cancer has had a big impact on her life. After losing both parents and several very dear friends to cancer Kim has been working to help patients cope and survive the disease. After learning about the mission and role Living Journeys plays in the area Kim was very excited to become a part of the board. She hopes to help those affected by cancer in a positive and meaningful way.
Molly McIntyre, Board Member
Acupuncturist, Herbalist, & Registered Nurse
Molly McIntyre has had the blessing of visiting her family ski vacation home in Crested Butte since 2001, while living in Boulder, CO. This valley is near and dear to her heart and now she is grateful to call it home full time since 2020. She lives here with her husband and her youngest daughter and her 2 older children are here when they can be and also love it as much as she does. She enjoys downhill skiing, nordic skiing, biking, and hiking with her dog, Teo. She is an Acupuncturist/ Herbalist and a Registered Nurse. She practiced Nursing for a few years and then decided to study Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine to help people with holistic health and wellness. Since she started practicing in 2005, she has focused on helping people heal their Body, Minds and Spirit and has added Medical Intuition, Applied Shamanic techniques, Ketamine Journey work and Emotional Freedom Technique and tapping to help get underneath the health problem to solutions. She has also added a frequency biofeedback technology, IMaet, that helps harmonize genetic expression, clear pathogens and sensitivities from the system that may be associated with cancer, disease and healing for individuals.
She has been honored to work with Living Journeys clients who have been interested in holistic wellness to help support their journey. Molly has the BRCA2 cancer mutation gene, as do many of her family members who have been affected by cancer and has had her own medical journey with this issue and is grateful to be able to give back and help others who are affected by this disease. Living Journeys is an incredible resource for those affected by cancer in this valley and Molly is honored to be on the board and a part of the support it provides.
Anne Boettcher, Board Member
Assistant Dean of Research
Anne Boettcher is the Assistant Dean of Research at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona. She is a past-president of Council on Undergraduate Research and served as Board Chair for La Tierra Community School in Prescott. Prior to joining Embry-Riddle, she was a Professor of Biology and Undergraduate Research Program Director at the University of South Alabama. While at South Alabama, she served as co-principal investigator for NSF-REU and principal investigator for Merck-AAAS programs, mentored more than 60 undergraduate and graduate research students, and integrated research and ethics components into all her courses. Anne and her family have participated and assisted with the Living Journeys Hike for more than 20 years and she looks forward to continuing working with Living Journeys.
Carole Schaefer, Board Member
Retired Earth Scientist
Carole spent her early years near Chicago, then moved to California with her family and went to university there before heading off to graduate school to get a masters in geophysics. After almost 40 years in oil and gas exploration and postings in 5 different countries, she retired and settled in Gunnison with her husband John. As an active hiker, skier, tennis player and runner, she spends as much time as possible outdoors in the Gunnison Valley.
Retirement did not go quite as planned when she was diagnosed with stage 3C ovarian cancer at the end of 2021. Having survived the disease and its treatment, her interest now is in reaching out to those who have also been affected by cancer to support their journey, both those with cancer and their families. As a board member, she is focused on expanding community outreach for Living Journeys so those in need know there is a welcoming and supportive community here for them.
Kevin Hartigan, Board Member
Entrepreneur & Business Owner
Kevin Hartigan has lived in the Gunnison Valley for over 26 years. He was fortunate enough to be partners with both his brother Sean and sister-in-law Sarah operating and owning The Last Steep Bar and Grill in Crested Butte for 21 of those years. Since 2021, Kevin has pursued the healing arts and physical fitness after purchasing the Gunnison 24/7 Gym. He has since moved to Gunnison with his wife Stephanie, who happens to be an oncology nurse. Kevin is passionate in being of service to the Gunnison Valley and is grateful to serve on the Board of Directors with Living Journeys.
Staff
Julie Reid, Executive Director
Julie Reid was born and raised in Michigan. After graduating from High School, she traveled and discovered Crested Butte. She then attended Western Colorado University. She fell in love with the surrounding beauty and open space and has made Gunnison Valley her home for over 20 years because of the incredible community. She raised her 2 daughters, Lillian and Aubrey, in Crested Butte and they now attend University of Colorado and Colorado State University. Having a devoted interest in yoga she became a certified Yoga instructor and began teaching classes locally. She worked as a fundraiser and event coordinator for the Colorado Association of Naturopathic Doctor’s.
She is passionate about helping others and giving back to the community. Living Journeys was a perfect fit. Julie is honored to serve the Living Journeys team as the Executive Director and to have the opportunity to work for this valuable organization providing important support to Gunnison Valley community members impacted by cancer. She has lost family and friends to this difficult disease and completely agrees with the Living Journeys vision: that no one should fight cancer alone!
Hannah Schafer Tibbett, Development Director
Avery Forsythe, Program Manager
Avery Forsythe brings to Living Journeys a unique blend of organizational expertise, program management, and a deep passion for supporting others. Born and raised in Crested Butte, Avery’s commitment to giving back to her hometown is fueled by a desire to uplift the community that shaped her.
A graduate of Western Colorado University, Avery holds a Bachelor’s in Sociology and Psychology and a Master’s in Elementary Education. Her professional background spans coordinating programs, mentoring diverse groups, and managing intricate schedules—all with a focus on creating systems that empower individuals and families.
In her free time, Avery enjoys travel, crafting, embracing the outdoor spirit of Crested Butte, and connecting with her beloved community. Avery has long admired the direct impact Living Journeys has had on many friends and family in the valley and is honored to oversee and expand the organization’s outstanding programs, helping individuals and families navigate their cancer journeys with strength and support.
Jen Bickford, Operations Manager
As the General Manager for Three Rivers Resort in Almont for over 20 years, Jen moved to Living Journeys in 2026, filling the role of Operations Manager. She brings a wide range of management experience to the organization, including marketing, human resources, accounting, office and hospitality management.
Originally from Grand Haven, Michigan, Jen graduated from the University of Michigan with a BBA and later earned an MBA from Wright State University. Her diverse professional experience includes working as a corporate executive and also filling many seasonal jobs while being a nomadic snowboard instructor.
Jen raised her son in Almont and now resides in Crested Butte with her partner, Doug. She is honored to serve this community and is humbled by the Living Journeys mission and vision. After participating in the Summit Hike for years, she is now happy to be part of organizing this event for others. For fun, Jen enjoys international trekking/travel and all of the amazing local mountain recreation in every season.
Brand Kit
Living Journeys is proud to partner with businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations to support individuals and families facing cancer in Gunnison County. Our programs provide financial assistance, transportation support, meal deliveries, enrichment opportunities, and therapy to support those navigating a cancer diagnosis. If you are interested in partnering with us, please reach out at Development@LivingJourneys.org. If you are a current partner and are looking for updated branding information please see our brand kit linked below.
Strategic Plan
Living Journeys exists to ensure that no one in Gunnison County faces cancer alone. Our 2026–2030 Strategic Plan reflects the voices of clients, caregivers, families, volunteers, donors, partners, staff, and Board members and sets a clear, compassionate path forward for the next five years. This plan guides how we grow our programs, strengthen our organization, and deepen our connection to the community, while staying rooted in the values that have always defined Living Journeys.
