Living Fully, One Journey at a Time: Dawn’s Story
At The Wander Club, we believe travel isn’t just about where you go. It’s about why you go. It’s about choosing presence over postponement, memories over someday, and living fully in the moments that matter most.
For Dawn, her Wander Club collection is a reminder to keep going, keep exploring, and keep choosing life, no matter what.
Dawn was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010, on her 40th birthday. After chemotherapy, multiple surgeries, and years of treatment, she fought hard and held cancer at bay for more than a decade. But in April of 2025, everything changed.
“This time it came back with a vengeance,” Dawn shared. “I am now battling Stage IV metastatic breast cancer, and will be for the remainder of my life.”
In the face of that reality, Dawn and her husband made a powerful choice, not to slow down, but to lean in. They had always dreamed of traveling more together, and after her first diagnosis, they did just that. Now, with this new chapter, their travels carry even deeper meaning.
“Traveling heals my soul,” Dawn said. “Now that the cancer has returned in a BIG way, we are planning to do much more.”
Dawn wanted something tangible to represent those journeys, something she could hold on to during hard days and return to when she needed motivation. That’s when she found The Wander Club.
“I wanted to remind myself to keep pushing, keep fighting, and keep traveling. I don’t want to ever say, ‘I wish I had gone there’ or ‘if only we had visited…’”
Her Wanderchain and tokens quickly became more than keepsakes. They became proof of lived moments. A promise to herself to keep choosing experiences over hesitation.
Each token represents a place experienced, a moment chosen, and a life lived with intention. Together, they tell a story of resilience, love, and a deep commitment to living fully even when the road ahead feels uncertain.
Dawn often says that one unexpected gift of her journey has been perspective.
“It shows you what’s really important,” she shared. “Living life.”
Dawn, thank you for trusting us with your story. Thank you for reminding us (and so many Wanderers walking a similar path) that there is still beauty to be found, joy to be experienced, and life to be lived right now.
Here’s to Dawn and to choosing a life of resilience, hope, and courage every day.
Do you have a story behind your collection that means the world to you?
We’d love to hear it. Share your journey with us on social @thewanderclub or email hi@thewanderclub.com for a chance to be featured as our next Wanderer of the Week.