587 to Row for the Cure on Seattle’s Lake Union Sunday morning
71-year-old breast cancer survivor and daughter among rowers competing in top local third-party benefit for Susan G. Komen for the Cure
SEATTLE – The fight against breast cancer makes a big splash in Lake Union Sunday morning as 587 rowers and dragon boat paddlers from Seattle, Everett, Renton, Kitsap Peninsula and Eastside rowing clubs will match oars in Seattle’s 12th annual Row for the Cure regatta.
The local breast cancer fundraiser has grown to become the largest benefit rowing regatta on the West Coast and is among the top third-party fundraisers of the Puget Sound Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. In partnership with USRowing and the George Pocock Rowing Foundation, the local regatta has raised over a half-million dollars for Susan G. Komen for the Cure and is among regattas in 16 states and Germany that have generated over $2 million for Komen affiliates.
“As a long-time partner we are grateful for the support Row for the Cure has provided to Susan G. Komen over the years,” said Cheryl Shaw, executive Director of the Puget Sound Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. “Row for the Cure helps us serve many women in need of breast cancer screening, treatment and patient navigation in our community. It is also a fun event that raises awareness about our mission to end breast cancer forever.”
Among the breast cancer survivors powering some 110 rowing shells Sunday morning is 71-year-old Poo Penrose of Shoreline, who along with her daughter Nancy Penrose Latham of Snohomish will attempt to defend last year’s title in the parent/child eight-oared event. Penrose is among five members of Fremont’s Martha’s Moms Rowing Club that have been diagnosed with the disease over the years.
After losing her own mother to breast cancer at the age three and later surviving her own scrap with the disease, Penrose knows that rowing has been the constant that helped her regain her life and a means to encourage other women, including her daughter, to be more vigilant with their self exams.
“The real meat in this fight, and rowing, are the people,” said Penrose, who practices three mornings a week with her “Moms” team, a group of 20 women aged 45 – 72 named for its first coach Martha Beattie, the wife of former Seattle Mariners pitcher Jim Beattie. “Thanks to the work of Komen there is so much more awareness of this disease and the importance of early detection than when my mom was diagnosed. If you seek help there are so many doors that are now open.”
Racing gets underway for competitors representing 19 local rowing clubs from Seattle, Redmond, Bainbridge and Vashon Islands, Renton and Everett at 7:30 a.m. and continues until 8:30 a.m. Crews start near Seattle Pacific University in the Lake Washington Ship Canal and race around the south end of Lake Union to a finish line on the lake’s east shore near the intersection of Fairview Ave. East and East Hamlin Street.
Spectators can view the regatta from the Burke Gillman Trail near the Fremont Bridge, the Lake Union Park area or at the finish line near Fairview Ave. East and East Hamlin Street on the east shore of Lake Union. A celebration honoring participants and breast cancer survivors takes place at Seattle’s Pocock Rowing Center beginning at 9:30 a.m.
Rowers are encouraged to contribute at least $150, the cost of a mammogram. To make a secure online donation to Susan G. Komen for the Cure through Row for the Cure or to sponsor a rower or paddler in your home town, log on to www.RowForTheCure.com/Seattle
About Row for the Cure®
Row for the Cure® is the rowing and paddling community’s fight against breast cancer. In partnership with USRowing, Row for the Cure regattas take place annually in 16 U.S. states and since 1994 have raised over $2 million exclusively for local affiliates of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. Seattle’s Row for the Cure is held annually in cooperation with the George Pocock Rowing Foundation and benefits the Puget Sound Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. To learn more about Row for the Cure or to make a financial gift in the fight against breast cancer on behalf of a rower or paddler in your community, visit www.rowforthecure.com/seattle
Seattle Row for the Cure Sponsors
Christie Law Group, H.D. Fowler Company, Pocock Racing Shells, Ryan, Swanson & Cleveland PLLC, Skellenger Bender P.S., Starbucks Coffee Company, Sweeney, Conrad P.S., Columbia Bank,
The Commerce Bank of Washington, Foss Maritime, SHKS Architects.
Seattle Row for the Cure Entries
Everett
Everett Rowing Association
Kitsap Peninsula
Bainbridge Island Rowing Club
Vashon Island Rowing Club
Seattle
Conibear Rowing Club
Flying Dragons Dragon Boat Club
Holy Names Academy
Lake Union Crew
Lake Washington Rowing Club
Martha’s Moms Rowing Club
Montlake Rowing Club
Pocock Rowing Center
Seattle Pacific University
Seattle Parks and Recreation – Green Lake Crew
Seattle Parks and Recreation – Mt. Baker Rowing and Sailing Center
Seattle Rowing Center
Starbucks Coffee Company
Redmond
Sammamish Rowing Association
Renton
Renton Rowing
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