MANITOWANING—Jackie White of Manitowaning will be swimming to raise funds for a cause that has affected her family and just about everyone else’s: cancer.
“I will be taking part in the 15 Kilometre Swim Challenge in August for the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS),” Ms. White told The Expositor last week. She said the support she has already received for the fundraiser has been incredible since signing up on July 9.
“It’s incredibly overwhelming how supportive the community is,” stated Ms. White. “By Sunday evening (July 9) I had raised $250 of the $500 everyone who is participating in the swim is required to raise. By Wednesday, $650 had been raised. People in the community here and on the Island are incredibly kind and generous.”
“So, at this point the CCS will be receiving $650,” said Ms. White, noting all donations she receives will be going directly to the CCS. Donations can be until almost August 31.
“I found that it is an easy process to join as a participant in the 15-kilometre swim,” said Ms. White. “And CCS monitors the entire process. Our family will be donating toward the swim as well. Our family has been affected by cancer as has almost all families.”
“I’m praying for warm weather water in August,” quipped Ms. White. She explained she will be swimming in Manitowaning Bay, from her house to the beach and back, a total of 2.2 kilometres, several times during the month of August.
“I will need to start practicing,” said Ms. White, who is a former competitive swimmer. She swam competitively as a child at the Dow pool in Copper Cliff. “My dad would drive me to the pool eight times a week.”
“In British Columbia I swam Masters for a few years, competing in provincial and nationals (where she won several gold medals),” said Ms. White. At one point she was the fastest Canadian Master swimmer in a few events in her age division.
Once she got married and started living on Manitoulin with young kids she swam in Espanola, training for provincial Masters and would leave home at 5 am to train. “I swam with the Sudbury team but trained out of Espanola.”
These days, “I volunteer to train triathlon athletes who cross my path to help them with stroke efficiency etc.,” said Ms. White. “Now that I am older the water is much colder than a lovely pool, but I will get the 15 kilometres in during the month of August,” said Ms. White.
To help her raise funds for the cancer society, visit Ms. White’s Facebook page and look for her Cancer Swim Challenge.
