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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, July 23, 2010 · 20 Swim is easy compared to cancer treatment By Nathan Howes OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Oakville resident Debbie Bang and 29 other swimmers from across Ontario will be making waves across the Severn River July 24 to raise money for breast cancer research in the 10th annual Swim for the Cure. For the 10th anniversary, a 25.6 km long distance swim has been added, which will see six of the swimmers participating. This is in addition to a 12.8 and 7.8 km swim, where people can compete as a solo swimmer, or as part of a team of five in a relay race. "We have the biggest swim ever. We have the longest swim. We have the most swimmers ever and (have) raised the most (money)," said Bang. Over the last nine years, the swim has been done by more than 100 swimmers and raised nearly $100,000 for breast cancer awareness. As of July 21, more than $17,000 has been raised online from just 10 of the 30 swimmers. Bang expects they will surpass this year's goal of $20,000, which would put them well over the $100,000 mark overall. "I anticipate between $25,000 and $30,000 this year, which is almost double of what we ever made before. It would put us in the $120,000 (range)." Breast cancer has had a substantial impact in Bang's life, as both sides of her family have had it. Bang had a close call with the disease DIVING IN: Debbie Bang and Ruth Beauchamp of Oakville. when she was 17. "I had my first lump at 17, it was benign, but I had my first lump. I have all kinds of breast cancer in my family. I have it on both my paternal side and my maternal side.," said Bang. "That's a really important cause for me." After going through those experiences, Bang decided 10 years ago to start the Swim for the Cure after she did a swim on Lake Rousseau with another Oakville resident, Joy Jarvis, who has since moved to Novar. "I did my very first long-distance swim with her 13 years ago and Joy swims for children with cancer (Swim for the Kids). We decided I would have my own swim and she would have her own swim," said Bang. "We're very good friends. Prior to her moving to Novar, she and I used to swim together at Centennial pool in Wide Oaks. "We both swim the same day and we actually communicate with each other during swim day." Bang has been swimming since she was four years old, when she did her first long distance swim. She has been training as a long distance marathon swimmer for about 15 years. Bang says there is both physical and mental preparations she goes through in the weeks leading up to the big swim. Some of the training includes swimming long distances four to six times a week. She uses the pools frequently. "There's just so many hours the pools are open. So (I) do a three to a five km swim each time I go out. Then planning longer distance swims when you go out (on the lake)," said Bang. "I did a six-hour (swim) two weeks ago and I have also done a (Lake) Rousseau swim last year to train for this one, which was a 17 km swim." The mental preparation is just as hard because you don't finish the swim because of your physical abilities, says Bang. "You finish it because of your head and believing that you can do it. I have some fusciapink in my hair to remind me I am swimming for breast cancer," said Bang. With the swim happening on Saturday, Bang has started to reduce the amount of swimming she does, which she says can be worse than the actual training itself. "It's a really hard stage because you're ready but you start to get nervous and part of why we swim is for the endorphin rush and also for our mental health, to keep us healthy and well," said Bang. "As you're tapering, you're not getting that same release so I'm a little ancy right now. "That's just not enough right now. (But) you need to rest and give your body to be fully healed from all the little pulls and nicks and muscle soreness." Besides benefitting breast cancer research, the swim will benefit the swimmers themselves, as the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Initiative has said in the past that women who are active throughout their lives can cut their risk of developing breast cancer by up to 42 per cent. The swim begins at Severn River Swift Rapids Lock 43 and ends at Big Chute Lock 44. Severn River is approximately 1.5 hours north of Toronto, off Hwy. 400. The 25.6 km swim will finish at Port Severn Lock 45. Most swimmers will be leaving the lock between 6:30 and 7:30 a.m. but the long distance swimmers are going to start at 4 a.m. Depending on weather, swimming distance and pace, it should take between five and 11 hours to finish. "Endurance swims are very demanding physically, but nothing compared to what people with breast cancer must endure every day during their treatment," said Bang. Donations can made during the event online at http://convio.cancer.ca. They can also be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, Orillia & District Unit, 190 Memorial Ave., Unit F, Orillia, ON L3V 5X6 at 705-326-9587, Toll-free: 1-800-555-7922 or orillia@ccsont.org. EXPERIENCE THE HALTON VACUUM DIFFERENCE POWER PERFORMER 600 air watts of cleaning power Strong enough for most homes Electric Powerhead and hose kit Complete set of attachments BIG BEAM SUMMER SALE Bonus $ only 799 9 99 RECEIVE ALL 4 ITEMS FREE WITH PURCHASE OF BIG BEAM SUMMER SALE PACKAGE! WHILE QUANTITIES LAST Hose Cover $50 value Dust Mop Head $50 value · 500 air watts · Powerful enough for most homes · Electric Powerhead and hose · Complete set of attachments Great Value Performer $ 5 Model #SC200 only Save $490 OFF M.S.R.P . $1290.00 269 499 99 Save on Powerhead & Hose Sets from $ 99 Model #0020E Accessories on Sale ITEM SALE SAVE M.S.R.P. 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