Feature Story: Patients Join Physical Therapists in Fundraising

PATIENTS JOIN MASSACHUSETTS PHYSICAL THERAPISTS FOR AGAINST THE TIDE‘S 30th YEAR ANNIVERSARY IN HOPKINTON ON JUNE 18th

Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC) will hold two in-person events: the first on June 18th at DCR’s Hopkinton State Park in Hopkinton, MA for the 30th year and the second on August 13th at DCR’s Nickerson State Park in Brewster, MA for the 23rd year. These events will feature 1-mile recreational or competitive swims, ½-mile recreational swim, 5K or 10K runs, 3-mile walk, and a 1-mile USMS sanctioned swim. 

MBCC is excited to have award-winning journalist Nicole Estaphan, a reporter and producer for WCVB Channel 5’s Chronicle, to emcee our Hopkinton event on June 18th. Award-winning journalist Nathalie Pozo, a co-anchor of WCVB NewsCenter 5, will emcee our Brewster event on August 13th!

Laura Diamond, owner of Diamond Physical Therapy Associates, PC (www.diamondphysicaltherapy.com) of Concord and Sudbury is a long-time supporter of Against the Tide.  “My two biggest passions are my work and the water,” says Diamond.  “I work with people as an aquatic physical therapist to improve their strength and overall health.  Getting in the water and raising money for MBCC allows me to share my passion with others.”  For almost all of the 30 years since this event was founded Laura has participated as a swimmer.  “I swim for many of my loved ones and others who are courageous breast cancer survivors,” explains Diamond.  

For 5 years, Diamond has created team Making Waves and invited all her patients, colleagues, family, and friends to join her.

Laura is thrilled to have the company of her friend and colleague Megan Cohen on the Making Waves team this year. Megan joined Diamond Physical Therapy Associates, PC in 2021. Megan is a consummate professional, a compassionate caregiver, and like Laura, she has a love for the water. Megan is an aquatic physical therapist and is also a swimmer and a triathlete. She is a perfect addition to the team and together, Laura and Megan are help training children and adults to swim in open water, run or walk, so that they too, can participate in Against the Tide. 

Megan says, “We have all, unfortunately, had a direct encounter with the pain, sadness, struggle, and solitude that a cancer diagnosis brings with it. In my short (29) years, I’ve felt the devastation when a close family friend lost her battle with breast cancer. As a physical therapist, I have worked with many breast cancer survivors and witnessed their courage and their struggles. I have a strong connection to rehabilitation. It is my profession. While cancer rehabilitation differs by diagnosis and prognosis, it is inevitably the process of restoring life and function for each individual affected in whatever way is possible for them. Which is why it is a great honor to swim and raise funds for this amazing organization. I am even more excited to be participating with my friend and fellow physical therapist, Laura Diamond, on her team ‘Making Waves. I am a swimmer, triathlete, and a huge supporter of aquatic physical therapy. I can’t think of a better way to pair my love and passion of water and therapy with a great cause like MBCC.” If you’d like to donate to Megan’s fundraising efforts you can visit: https://raceroster.com/events/2022/55662/2022-against-the-tide-hopkinton/pledge/participant/14365921

Individuals interested in joining Laura’s team you can visit:  https://raceroster.com/events/2022/55662/2022-against-the-tide-hopkinton/pledge/team?id=5

If you’d like to donate to Laura’s fundraising efforts you can visit: https://raceroster.com/events/2022/55662/2022-against-the-tide-hopkinton/pledge/participant/14357467

“We are very fortunate to have such tremendous support from Laura Diamond, Megan Cohen, and the Making Waves team, demanding greater protection for future generations health in our effort to stop breast cancer before it starts,” says Cheryl Osimo, MBCC’s Executive Director.  “Laura and Megan are truly hardworking humanitarians and credits to their community for being so generous in helping the state’s leading breast cancer organization work towards our goal of breast cancer prevention.”

Additionally, MBCC will host two virtual events each with an 8-day participation window: Against the Tide June Virtual Event, June 11th – 18th, and Against the Tide August Virtual Event, August 6th – 13th. The virtual event components include 1-mile recreational or competitive swims, ½-mile recreational swim, 5K or 10K runs, and a 3-mile walk.

To learn more about all of the registration options or to make a pledge, please visit the MBCC website at www.mbcc.org/swim or by calling 1-800-649-MBCC (6222). To learn more about MBCC’s television media sponsor WCVB Channel 5, please visit www.wcvb.com.