Ryan O’Donoghue — father, husband and boss at outdoor nonprofit First Descents — dies at 46

Ryan O’Donoghue — father, husband and boss at outdoor nonprofit First Descents — dies at 46

Ryan O’Donoghue served more than 12 years as executive director of First Descents. (Handout) There’s a Cherokee fable that describes two wolves battling in the heart of every human.  One is darkness, representing hate, anger, resentment and guilt. The other is light, representing love, beauty, peace and empathy. A young boy asks his grandfather which wolf would win.  The grandfather answers: “Whichever one you feed.”  Ryan O’Donoghue, father, hu…

'Profound Heartbreak': First Descents Announces Sudden Death of 'Beloved' CEO

For nearly 25 years, Colorado nonprofit First Descents has taken cancer survivors on free weeklong trips into the wilderness. The internal struggle of feeling powerless against a potentially fatal illness can last far longer than physical symptoms, and First Descents aims to help these survivors regain confidence in both mind and body. So it was with “profound heartbreak” that the organization announced the sudden death of its longtime CEO, Ryan…