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“I’ve just found that it is not easy to share such personal things in print, but if my story can help someone, in some way, either catching cancer early, forcing your doctor to listen to you, or to console you if you are amidst this struggle, then I am happy to help.“
– Krista Morgoe
A couple of weeks ago, I published a post about Brighton Resort in Utah officially opening Krista’s Park — the first FEMALE ONLY terrain park. Named after Krista Moroge, who passed away from breast cancer in 2010, the park is dedicated to women’s snowboarding… as well as breast cancer prevention. Spearheaded by Brighton Resort, Burton colleagues, snow peers, and Boarding for Breast Cancer, Krista’s Park was designed and produced as an amazing tribute to honor and celebrate her life — and girls who shred.
Opening day was heart-warming and motivating. I got to hear humorous and triumphant stories from her friends, family, and industry folks. I got to hear quips and quotes describing what kind of person she was on and off the hill. And with every word that was uttered, I felt simultaneously inspired… and sorry. Sorry I didn’t know her. Sorry I didn't get to laugh with her and be friends with her. Sorry I never had the chance to shred with her and learn a thing or two. And as a more personal portrait of Krista began to form in my mind, I found myself connected to her. She was like me. She was like you. She was like any of our girlfriends. I couldn’t get her voice out of my head, and wanted to know more abut her.
Krista Moroge followed her dream of snowboarding, working for big brands like Nitro, Scott USA, and finally the holy grail — Burton snowboards, as a territory manager for Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana. Her work took her around the world to exciting locations like Chile, New Zealand, Switzerland and Argentina for snowboarding. She loved skateboarding and racing her motorcycle, as well as painting and drawing.
Eventually, I discovered her soul-baring letter, eloquently describing her intense journey from being a healthy active young woman of 33… to being debilitated by cancer and its treatments in 30 days (read her letter here). While I was moved by her painfully beautiful words, what struck me most was her approach to the 2 years that would follow.
“I’ve written about such a serious thing with such a light heart and an air toward humor, because that is the way I got through this whole mess.”
– Krista Morgoe
She didn't want people to feel bad for her. All she wanted was to keep laughing and moving forward in a loving and positive way.
She was focused on the snowboarding community that supported her, her wonderful husband and family, and the love she had for her sports. But by the time she wrote this letter, she had focused on something else, too: her voice — something many of us have forgotten how to use.
“This all should have been prevented. I went early enough for this to be detected. If I had to do it over, I would have forced someone to listen to me, to look at me, to try to help me save my own life before I had to go through everything I did…”
– Krista Morgoe
As shredders, we’re designed to express ourselves every time we’re on the pow. We’re wired to make noise every time we hit the hill. And yet, when it comes to health, many female shredders go silent. Do we lose our voice between the mountain and Main Street? I believe Krista came to ask herself the same thing. And in her open letter, she wanted us to find the answer.
When you are not okay with the status quo, find your voice. When your gear — or body — doesn’t feel right, find your voice. When the doctor says you’re too young and healthy to have a mammogram — but you have a lump on your breast — find your voice.
Let's make 2014 the year we find our courage and our voice. For Krista Moroge… and all you girls out there… Shred on, Sisters. Shred on!
To learn more about early detection, best prevention and how to help visit: http://b4bc.org/
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