Cancer survivor finds catharsis in triathlon

On the Sunday of September 17, after four months of training, a host of 1,300 women athletes and I anxiously entered the waters off Sandy Hook Bay to compete in the Danskin Triathlon for breast cancer research.

Twenty years earlier at the age of 24, I had been diagnosed with breast cancer and was suffering the emotional, psychological and physical sequelae of a cancer diagnosis and treatment in a medical and social climate of utter shock, alienation and loss; and at a time when breast cancer advocacy, quality of life, wellness and young women were naught to be found in an oncology suite. It was a desperate time.

So it was now, with the intense physical training and mental cooperation, along with the social and emotional support of an informal team of novice triathletes and trainers, that the deep memory of powerlessness and shame were given liberation in the sweat and tears and sunshine on Sandy Hook.

On behalf of the triumphant athletes, my thanks to Danskin Corp., Sandy Hook National Park, and the U.S. Coast Guard for staging this event. And my personal gratitude to Gayle Stamer, Pam Mancuso, Bonnie Cooper, Alistair McCrann, Paul Weber and all of Al's Gals for bringing me closer to the Light.

Karen M. Faherty

Red Bank