China Carnella is an amazing woman. Her story is one that we cherish because it sheds light on surviving breast cancer, and what joy comes from life experiences when you go through such a journey. Send Me On Vacation is a charity that helps breast cancer survivors go all over the world. Through Pam Horwitz at Send Me On Vacation, SFX was able to send China on a Mexican getaway to The Grand Mayan Riviera Resort. Here is her testimonial in her own words. See her photos from the trip below.
We are so thankful to be apart of such a great organization, and we were absolutely thrilled to hear Chinas story when she got back from her amazing vacation. Pictures from her vacation are below. Here is her story:
I got back from my vacation about a week ago and have finally had the chance to sit down and curate some pictures to send you – along with my sincerest gratitude. I cannot even begin to tell you what a fabulous time I had! As I went through the pictures, I noticed that I got tanner and visibly happier as the week went by. By the end of the trip, I was positively glowing 🙂 Truth be told, I did not want to come back. I had the absolute best time of my life and so did my friend Manlio. I did not wear my wig or any makeup until the last day
because I really needed some decent pictures I could show people, LOL.
We had such a luxurious room at the resort, and we dined in Cancun and Playa del Carmen every night on Fifth Avenue. We shopped and played on the beach. We took the ferry over to Isla Mujeres and had a drink in the ocean, and we went to the Xcaret water park. We were going to go to the Coba and Chichen Itza ruins and visit some authentic Mexican towns on the way, but I had to draw the line as I was really there to recuperate and heal. We slept in as often as we could and had such a relaxing and fun time. The Mayan descendants are such very nice people and were very kind and helpful. I felt steeped in ancient history the entire time I was there.
I have wanted to go to Quintana Roo since I learned about it in History class in 4th and 5th grade in California. I fell in love with Mexico back then in 1972 and the teachers taught us all about Father Sierra and the missions he built all over California, and we built little missions out of sugar cubes but mostly I remember thinking about the Mexican women grinding corn in the metates to make tortillas. I was completely fascinated with Mexico back then. Much later in life, 1995 to be exact, I met Cesar (Manlio) and learned that he was born down in Mexico in March of 1972 – the very same time I was learning all about it in grade school! Plus, my parents honeymooned in Mexico and I always thought they must have picked up my spirit down there and brought it back up to New York City with them where I was born 🙂 So, it was SUCH a joy for me to visit Quintana Roo with him and we both just really want to thank you so very much 🙂
Thank you and your wonderful organization so so so so much from the bottom of my heart! Please know that the effects of this vacation have changed my life.
To reach out to Send Me On Vacation, click here.
