Seattle rowers fight breast cancer with regatta

06:19 PM PDT on Sunday, September 19, 2004

By ROBERTA ROMERO / KING 5 News

KING Over 150 rowers from Western Washington, California and British Columbia participated in 14 separate races.

SEATTLE - With the dip of the oars in the water, the rhythm of arms moving back and forth, it's another world on the water.

"Just when you shove away from the dock it's kind of an escape, like the rest of the world is behind you," said rower Julie Nichols.

On Seattle's Lake Union Sunday, breast cancer survivors, supporters and those still fighting the disease met for friendly competition and a chance to raise money to find a cure.

Nichols, a bronze medalist in the lightweight women's quadruple sculls world championships, knows the disease well. Her mother is a survivor.

"So many women have gone through it and there are so many people than you realize that are dealing with it, and have dealt with it and have been touched by it, so just keep fighting," she said.

KING 5's own Jean Enersen was there to cheer and congratulate the participants, and to urge women to take the time to take care of themselves.

"How many times have we heard the message do self exams, get a mammogram. How many times have we heard the message 'early detection is the only real tool we have' and how many times have we, each and every one of us, skipped that monthly exam," said Enersen.

Dr. Dena Brownstein, an attending physician in emergency services at Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center, is an avid rower and a breast cancer survivor. She is grateful to be rowing once again.

"Don't think it can't be you," she said. "I had no family history, I was in excellent health, relatively young for breast cancer, so doing self exams, making sure you get mammograms, being vigilant, taking care of yourself."

Over 150 rowers, ranging in age from 14 to 75, from Western Washington, California and British Columbia participated in 14 separate races.

The regatta's youngest competitor was 14-year-old Maddie Olanie of Poulsbo, who rowed with sisters Kate, 17 and Allison, 21 for the Bainbridge Island Rowing Club in support of their mother Marian, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003.