Live By Living

About

We envision a world where every cancer survivor and caregiver is embraced by a community of peers who understand and uplift them through the emotional, spiritual, and physical trials of cancer. To achieve this, we believe in providing opportunities for individuals to enhance their wellbeing through outdoor activities in natural settings. Individuals can share a support system through nature while strengthening themselves and healing.

Categories Program Adults Mental Health Therapeutic

Program Details

Live By Living connects cancer survivors and caregivers to nature and one another through walks, hikes, and mountain retreats, as well as online classes. We aim to provide a supportive environment where individuals can find solace, strength, and companionship on their journey.

Our programs foster health and healing for cancer survivors and caregivers

Walk into Wellness – Walks are easy, paved, and flat, but still connect participants with nature. With our caring volunteers, this fun and engaging series will help boost participants' physical activity and spirits wherever they are in their cancer journey.
Hike into Health – Hikes vary in difficulty and are generally 3 to 6 miles long. This adventurous series will help participants increase aerobic conditioning while having fun with a group of fellow survivors and caregivers.
CA to 14K – In this 10-week hiking-based conditioning program, participants train to either climb a 14,000 foot peak or hike 14,000 steps to a mountain lake.
Mountain Retreats – Retreats are held in the Tenth Mountain Division huts, YMCA conference centers and camps, and private residences. This is a chance for participants to unplug from daily life and immerse themselves in the beauty of nature. There are opportunities to make new friends with similar experiences, challenge themselves physically, and gain new strengths in facing life challenges.
Online Classes – Engage with a community of people who understand cancer's challenges from the comfort of home. Online offerings include mindfulness, pilates, and strength training.

While our programs are based in Colorado, we currently have a program in Iowa. Our goal is to scale across the United States and beyond in our mission to serve even more cancer survivors and caregivers.

Contact Katherine (Katie) Paganucci, Managing Director katie@livebyliving.org (303) 349-5939 Live By Living

Population Served
Adult cancer survivors and their caregivers

Services Offered
We offer walks, hikes, mountain retreats, and online classes.

Cost to Participate
All programs are free for participants.

Staff Composition
We are a volunteer-based organization. Currently, we have 2 staff members:

Dan Miller, Founder and Executive Director
Katie Paganucci, MBA, Managing Director

Impact

Walking Through Cancer: How ‘Live by Living’ Participants Navigate Survivorship

A group of participants pose with their arms up for a sunny picture in Belmar Park. Behind them is a vast lake surrounded by lush greenery.

SOCO survivors wearing pink shirts proudly show off their achievement of climbing to the top of Mt. Sherman during a CA to 14k event.

Four hikers use snowshoes to walk along a snowy incline in Estes Park. Their path is bordered by verdant trees and boulders.

At a Camp Shady Brook retreat, two participants stand together for a picture; one of them is a smiling woman holding a stick of marshmallows. Behind them are people sitting around a campfire, and a cabin surrounded by trees.

A group of CA to 14k participants stand together at the top of Grays Peak, holding up signs to celebrate their hike’s success. A bright blue sky, filled with fluffy clouds, stretches far behind them.

A group of Peter Estin Hut Retreat participants beam at the camera with their hands up as they show their hiking progress along an incline.

Seven participants sit down and rest at the top of a mountain, which they have been hiking during their Camp Shady Brook Retreat. Behind them are rolling hills and distant mountains underneath a blue sky.

Recent Case Studies

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C5LA

C5 Leaders Los Angeles is a transformational, multi-year youth leadership development and college access program that empowers high-potential youth from under-resourced communities. Our program begins in middle school and extends beyond high school into college and beyond, integrating outdoor experiences, leadership training, and college and career preparation.

A large group of people sit barefoot or in socks on towels and yoga mats while in a sitting yoga pose. The people are sitting among coniferous trees in a forest as the sky begins to darken.

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We Explore Earth Monthly Programming

We Explore Earth is a volunteer-led nonprofit reconnecting diverse and underserved communities to the healing power of nature through inclusive outdoor experiences. By blending conservation, wellness, and cultural connection, we foster physical and mental health through guided hikes, campouts, cleanups, creative nature experiences, and communal gatherings across California and beyond.

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Colorado AgrAbility Project

Our mission is to promote independence and enhance the quality of life of farmers, ranchers, agricultural workers, their families, and their communities who face challenges or limitations. The Colorado AgrAbility Project works to provide the support this population needs to begin or continue their agricultural vocation.