Making a splash for breast cancer

A GROUP of dedicated swimmers have braved the Torquay waters every morning throughout November, raising money for breast cancer research.

Led by breast cancer survivor, Jillian Balodis, the group took part in the National Breast Cancer Association’s Swim for Breast Cancer challenge.

Last year’s group welcomed around 15 swimmers, including two survivors, and when asked if they would participate again this year there was no hesitation.

“They were more than willing when I went around asking who wanted to do it and jump in and then it just sort of spread like wildfire and there was 30 of us this year,” Balodis said.

“All together, we’ve swum over 500km. We all do our own goal but they are multiples of nine because nine people die of breast cancer daily.”

Together the Life Savers group has raised more than $26,000 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation, putting them in second position on the national leadership board.

Fellow breast cancer survivor and swimmer Chrissie Mois said the support from the group and the wider the community has been overwhelming.

 

“Jill and I spoke about people who we haven’t seen for years who have connected with us, donated to us, by seeing our posts and sharing our posts on social media.

“People that you might have known 30 years ago [are] out of the blue donating and that’s because breast cancer has touched so many lives and everybody has an emotional, personal thing.”

For the swimmers, a natural part of the process has included people coming up to them and sharing stories about the people they know who have been impacted by the disease.

The challenge has also been about more than the act of raising money for some, with many forming connections and friendships throughout the past month.

The group’s final swim was on November 30, where they celebrated with a pink morning tea.

Donations will remain open for another week and can be made at fundraise.nbcf.org.au/fundraisers/LifeSavers