Olympic champions row for cancer cure

Beijing Olympic champions from the USA’s women’s eight teamed up with 1984 Olympic Champions and breast cancer survivors to row to raise money and awareness of breast cancer.

In Seattle, Washington, USA, more than 500 rowers raised over $83,000 by competing in the annual Row for the Cure regatta. Winning the event was a crew that included 2008 Olympic Champion, Susan Francia, 2004 Olympic silver medallist, Samantha Magee, 1984 Olympic Champion Shyril O’Steen and was coxed by 2008 Olympic Champion coxswain Mary Whipple.

A second boat of Olympians and cancer survivors finished six seconds behind and took second place. This boat included 1984 Olympic Champion Kristi Norelius, 2008 Olympians Portia McGee and Lan Pernell and was coxed by 1984 Olympic Champion coxswain Betsy Beard Stillings. Norelius is a breast cancer survivor and says that it was lucky that her cancer was caught at an early stage.

The regatta was held over a 4.5km course on Lake Union in Puget Sound.

The Row for the Cure began in 1994 and there are now 18 locations that hold events throughout the United States and one event in Frankfurt, Germany. It benefits the Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Proceeds from each Row for the Cure benefit the local affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Of the money raised 75 per cent stays in the community to fund education and the treatment of breast cancer. The remaining money is used for national breast cancer research projects.

The next Row for the Cure is on this weekend in Jacksonville, Florida where mainly high school students will be racing and fundraising.

For more information: www.RowForTheCure.com