An inspiring letter from the founder of the Against the Tide events, Maria Vetrano, who honors her deceased mother with her wonderful work:
I can hardly believe that we are in the 21st year of Against the Tide. As some of you know, my partner Helen and I started Against the Tide in 1993 because we wanted to create an event that would be empowering for people who have been affected by breast cancer. In my case, we wanted to honor my mother, Camille, who died at age 42.
For the first year of Against the Tide, 84 swimmers gathered at Walden Pond to raise funds for the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition, which does critically important work in preventing the environmental causes of breast cancer through a variety of means: community education, research advocacy, and changes to public policy. MBCC has been going strong for more than 22 years, and it is because of people like you, who get involved in the fight against breast cancer through Against the Tide, that the MBCC can continue to educate, advocate, and empower.
As I reflect upon that first swim in 1993, I recall seeing every configuration of family and friends swimming in support of one another: mothers and daughters; mothers and sons; women and their partners; cousins, aunts, uncles, friends and co-workers. We all shared a commonality: a heartfelt desire to take action, to do something together that could make a difference for those facing a disease that can be so physically and emotionally challenging. There were also those of us who were honoring someone we loved who had lost their life to breast cancer.
But on to brighter things! Against the Tide. Whether you are swimming, walking, running, kayaking — or doing multiple events — we welcome your participation. And if you are volunteering, that is wonderful too! Volunteers are and have always been the backbone of Against the Tide, and we could not do it without you.
Against the Tide in Hopkinton is coming up soon, so mark your calendar for Saturday, June 22nd and register today! I am marking my calendar for Saturday, August 17th, because my family and I will take part in Against the Tide in Brewster. Whichever date you choose, you will be in good company, surrounded by people with shared experiences, who also want to make a difference in the fight against breast cancer.
Maria Vetrano
Against the Tide event founder