14th Annual Escape to THRIVE Leadership Conference for Cancer Advocates

Escape to THRIVE 2025 is made possible by our generous sponsors, who help to defray the cost of registration. Applications for Escape to THRIVE 2025 have now closed.  Join our mailing list to stay up to date on the latest THRIVE news.

Your Registration Fee Includes:

• Conference programming
• 4 nights accommodations (SHARED ROOM*) at Miraval Arizona
• ALL MEALS, refreshments and non-alcoholic beverages throughout the day
• $300 resort credit (compliments of Miraval) to use toward spa services, private consultations, equine experiences, desert zipline, and culinary experiences
• 120 COMPLIMENTARY wellness activities, lectures and fitness classes weekly
• Roundtrip transportation from Tucson Airport on Miraval scheduled shuttle

*We will pair you with another advocate in a shared room for the $619 registration fee.  For a single room, the registration fee increases to $1,289 and rooms are subject to availability. Your guest is welcome to join you AFTER (not during) the conference if you elect to extend your stay after January 29, 2026. Based on availability, extended stays at Miraval will be accommodated at the group rate (at your own expense – makes a great holiday gift!). For more information about extending your stay, email your request to: thrive@bagitcancer.org.

Please do not contact Miraval.

Compare Escape to THRIVE to Your Average Healthcare Conference

Escape to THRIVE is a small conference by design – with approximately 40 advocate attendees. An easy application process lets us know about your advocacy work and how Escape to THRIVE is a good fit for you. Please answer all questions to the best of your ability and be as thorough as you can. 

Escape to THRIVE brings together a thoughtfully selected group of advocates representing diverse backgrounds, cancer experiences, and perspectives. We intentionally seek to include participants from a variety of backgrounds, roles, cancer types, geographic regions, and lived experiences. Because space is limited, we are not able to accept all applicants. Our selection process is designed to ensure a balanced cohort that reflects the breadth and depth of the cancer advocacy landscape. 

Note: A submitted application does not guarantee attendance. Applications are reviewed by a committee and applicants are notified of status by email by the end of August. A rolling admission process continues until all available spaces are filled and then a waiting list is generated (Alumni, see Alumni Tab). 

Escape to THRIVE 2026 is made possible by our generous sponsors who help to defray the cost of registration. While everyone attending is on scholarship, there is a registration fee of $619 for a shared room and $1289 for a single room. A $100 deposit for a shared room, or a $200 deposit for a single room, is due within 2 weeks of acceptance and full payment is due by 10/13. We are not able to offer additional scholarships or awards.

Returning advocates participate in Escape to THRIVE as alumni mentors, not just attendees. This is a leadership role with new responsibilities and a higher level of engagement. Alumni mentors serve as guides and connectors for new advocates, helping to shape a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environment.

As an alumni mentor, you will:

• Pre-conference: host virtual meetings with your mentee group and respond to questions
• Attend required virtual and in-person team meetings before, during and after the conference
• Engage with new attendees before and throughout the conference
• Lead a Table Talk session on an approved topic and/or participate in panels or other leadership opportunities
• Serve as part of the Logistics Committee, helping with on-site planning and production (i.e. office hours, video editing, room setup/breakdown, photos, etc.)

This role is about helping others thrive—making sure no one feels lost, isolated, or left out. Returning to Escape to THRIVE means stepping into a leadership mindset, modeling active and selfless participation, and being fully present for the entire experience.

The right balance of new and returning participants makes for an optimal Escape to THRIVE experience. Alumni will be chosen after all new participants have been selected. Notification of application status will not be sent until the end of August.

Now approaching its 14th year, Escape to THRIVE was designed by and for cancer advocates. It combines features of a national leadership conference with collaboration and self-care components to support advocates to continue their work effectively—all with the ultimate goal of improving cancer patient education and outreach. No other conference offers this balance of learning and skills to embrace the WHOLE advocate—professionally and personally. A research study is underway to evaluate the efficacy of this transformative conference format. Be part of the collaboration! Advocates representing over 180 organizations from around the country have attended, and many have participated more than once.

Sponsorship benefits to your company:

• Time to network with key advocate leaders from organizations representing a variety of cancers. Advocates represent not just a single viewpoint but many voices, issues, and stories.
• Informal opportunities to discuss issues and topics your company is interested in. Learn the advocates’ perspective through insights, comments, and discussions. Glean much information in a short period of time.
• Build your company’s network of reliable and capable advocates for the future.
• Excellent opportunity for key or new company employees to learn about cancer patients and their issues from the “inside” by attending workshops alongside advocates (available for select sponsorship levels).
• Ensure attendance by your selected key advocate or company representative (available for select sponsorship levels).

For more information about sponsoring Escape to THRIVE, contact mindy@bagitcancer.org.