Never underestimate the healing powers of immersing yourself in nature. Even during times of uncertainty, you can count on nature to enrich your life and bring you joy.
I had the privilege of learning this from a brave 6-year-old named Bellamy, who is a leukemia survivor. Bellamy and her mom, Sarah, embarked on a remarkable mission to complete 100 hikes before the end of her 2.5-year-long treatment plan. These hikes, a testament to Bellamy’s resilience, provide a much-needed respite from the stress of cancer, hospital stays, endless beeping machines, and big medical words.
Sarah decided it was time to hit the trails in 2023 when Bellamy was discharged from the hospital. They started walking daily, slow at first, with walks to the mailbox. In honor of September being Child Cancer Awareness Month, I asked Sarah and Bellamy if I could accompany them on their 67th hike at Golden Gate Canyon State Park to learn more about their journey of healing.
From the outset, it was clear that Bellamy refused to let her cancer diagnosis hold her back. She is a spirited, animal-loving, independent young soul eager to explore the great outdoors and all its wonders. The fear of the unknown doesn’t intimidate her, and she courageously began our 3.5-mile hike, ready to embrace whatever crossed our path. So, into the magical portal of nature we went, a beautiful entryway of bright yellow Aspen trees shimmering in the wind.
Me: “If you could have a superpower, what would it be?”
Bellamy: “Telaport. Wait no. Heal people – and talk to animals.”
Me: “ I love animals, too. Why do you want to talk to animals?”
Bellamy:”Cause if they need help, I can help them.”
Me: “What’s your favorite animal?”
Bellamy: “Rafi” (her golden retriever dog)
Me: “What’s your favorite WILD animal?”
Bellamy: “A deer. I see them on hikes sometimes.”
Me: “What’s one thing that always makes you happy?”
Bellamy: “My mom.”
Me: “Why?”
Bellamy: “She takes me to new places and teaches me things.”
Me: “What inspired you to take this wellness hiking journey?”
Sarah: “I know in my heart that being in nature gives you physical, mental, and emotional nourishment. I want her to get fresh air, disconnect from TV and the internet, and have fun outside while pursuing a healthy lifestyle. I want her to learn from nature, too – like she can set challenging goals and work hard to accomplish them. We also look to nature to show us how it perseveres, like a root of a tree maneuvering around giant rocks to get nutrients or flowers sprouting in the cracks between two boulders.”
As it turns out, Sarah’s motherly instinct is backed by science. Research has shown that spending time in nature has a multitude of physical and mental health benefits, strengthening the immune system and promoting overall well-being.
- The outdoors helps you get exercise and flush lymph out of your lymphatic system. Physical activity is one of the best things people can do to improve their health and lymphatic system. Your body relies on your lymphatic system to remove waste, like bacteria, viruses, toxins and abnormal cells that can lead to cancer. Lymph fluid relies on movement and the contraction of your muscles to make it flow. Active people generally live longer and are at less risk for serious health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and some cancers. For people with chronic diseases, physical activity can help manage these conditions and complications.
- Sunshine gives your body vitamins. Natural sunlight exposes your body to vitamin D, which is essential for a well-functioning immune system.
- Being in nature reduces anxiety. A cancer diagnosis is stressful and can bring on a range of emotions. Fear and anxiety about illnesses can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Walking outside improves your mental health and reduces stress.
- The outdoors provides aromatherapy that boosts your immune system. Scientists studied that breathing in phytoncide, airborne chemicals produced by plants, increases our levels of white blood cells and helps fight off infections and diseases.
Me: “What are some things you encourage Bellamy to do while hiking?”
Sarah: “We like to meditate on our hikes! We pause to breathe and feel the air fill our lungs and let our breath flow all the way down to our toes. I encourage her to smell the pine trees, point out bright colors, watch for wildlife, and touch the roughness of rocks or how cold the water is.”
Me: “You forest bathe?!”
Forest bathing, also known as shinrin-yoku in Japanese, is a therapeutic practice that involves spending time in a forest to connect with nature through sensory engagement. Connecting with nature through our senses of sight, hearing, smell, and touch can improve mood and stress levels and lower blood pressure, heart rate, and harmful hormones.
Me: “What do you want other people to learn from Bellamy’s hiking journey?”
Sarah: “We are so grateful for nature and exercise and to share our experience with you. I’m not claiming that hiking completely heals anyone. I’m just saying that it doesn’t hurt. Battling cancer is a whirlwind. A coping mechanism we use is to focus on what we can control. Me being involved in her health journey and scheduling hikes to look forward to are things we can control.”
Me: “Do you ever get worried she won’t be able to finish a hike?”
Sarah: “No, because I will just carry her. Some hikes, I carry her, and some hikes, she is running ahead of me, and I’m wishing she could carry me, but the point is that there is movement, there is sun, there is fresh air, and there is nature.”
And Sarah did carry her, going uphill for about a quarter mile until Bellamy gained the strength and determination to finish the hike all by herself on foot. Hike number 67 is now complete!
Most childhood leukemias are caused by chance mutations in the genes of white blood cells. Except for rare genetic cases, little is known about the causes of these diseases. Scientists are hard at work trying to learn how these mutations happen.
According to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, an estimated 184,720 new cases of blood cancer were diagnosed in the U.S. in 2023. In Colorado, there are approximately 2,660 new cases of blood cancer each year.
Sarah and Bellamy will share their hiking journey at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light The Light benefit, which will be held in Denver this month. The funds raised by this community will fund lifesaving research, advocacy, and support for blood cancer patients and their families.
To learn more about Colorado state parks, visit cpw.state.co.us.
By: Bridget O’Rourke, Statewide Public Information Officer at Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Photos by Ryan Jones/CPW.
