Wanderlust. Strong. Resilient.
These words perfectly describe our 2024 Dream Vacation Grant Recipient, Taryn Lloyd.
In her twenties, Taryn was airborne—skydiving, embracing the world from 15,000 feet. She completed seven jumps without an instructor, driven by the mantra, "I can do anything." And she was right. Taryn can do anything, including fighting breast cancer—three times.
At 25, Taryn discovered a lump in her breast. She mentioned it to her doctor. No action. This pattern repeated for three more years: the same call and response, "You're too young. You're fine."
Fast forward to March 2019, just months before her 30th birthday. On her annual doctor’s visit, Taryn reported the lump for the fourth time. This time, her doctor sent her for imaging. Taryn wasn't prepared to hear the words, "You have cancer."
To process this, Taryn did what she knew best—she took to the skies and flew to Denver, a city where she had planned to move in the coming months. It was her wanderlust that kept her grounded.
But life had other plans. Her diagnosis kept her in Orlando, surrounded by friends and family. And so, the treatments began—chemotherapy, a port on her chest, and the notorious "Red Devil." Taryn braved it all.
Three years later, in March 2022, those dreaded words returned: "You have cancer." It was back, and once again, Taryn was the one who found it. But this time, she wasn’t alone. Just three days before her diagnosis, Taryn had gone on a first date with her now-boyfriend and Dream Vacation companion, Jake. On their second date, she told him she had cancer and gave him the chance to leave. Instead, he responded with a quote from the Allman Brothers, "All that matters is I can see your soul shine.”
During her second battle, Taryn endured another year of chemotherapy, a bilateral mastectomy, a neck dissection to remove lymph nodes, chemically induced menopause, and more. But this time, it was a little easier with Jake by her side, with the ultimate distraction of falling in love. Together, they dreamed of their future—moving to the mountains, traveling, experiencing the world.
In the months leading up to her Dream Vacation, Taryn knew something wasn’t right. She voiced her concerns to her oncologist and was once again told “Everything is fine.” But, Taryn is strong and insisted on further testing—because she knew. And once again, she was right. It isn’t fine. Her cancer has spread to her lungs, and she now faces a Stage 4 diagnosis.
Despite a terminal diagnosis, Taryn has continued to be a light of optimism and joy stating, “I am soooo excited for this trip! I’m really looking forward to escaping into a beautiful Icelandic dream for a little bit.” She and Jake can look forward to heading on a Dream Vacation to Iceland this month (March 2025). Together, they'll see the Blue Lagoon, Geyser Hot Springs, and, if the heavens delight, the Northern Lights—the natural beauty of the skies she once flew through.
Taryn is wanderlust. She yearns for the mountains and the skies, to take in the world—the good, the bad, and the unexplained.
Taryn is strong. She knew something was wrong and advocated for her health, believing in herself even when others doubted.
Taryn is resilient. She has fought breast cancer twice and stood back up each time. She found love in a moment that could have been unlovable and sought adventure in a time that could have silenced her dreams. She stands radiant as ever. Her soul shines.
Taryn was born with a streak of silver hair, which she lost during her initial chemo treatments. She refers to it as her superhero streak. Since she’s headed to the Land of Fire and Ice, we shall call her Taryn the Ice Queen.
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