<div><strong>Mayan Channel 27km Swim Fundraiser</strong>
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<div>Goal: $5,500 | 50% Donated to Visuality (LGBTQ+ Youth of South Florida)
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<div>In May 2026, I’ve been invited to take on one of the toughest endurance swimming challenges in the world: the 27km Mayan Channel Crossing in Cozumel, Mexico. This is not just about testing my limits in open water — it’s about using my journey to give back.
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<div>Half of all proceeds raised will go directly to Visuality, an LGBTQ+ organization dedicated to empowering and supporting the youth of South Florida. Their work creates safe spaces, fosters community, and builds strength through shared challenges — the same values I’ve learned through endurance sports.
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<div>Or donate directly to them here: <a href="https://visualityswfl.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Visuality</a>
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<div><strong>My Journey</strong>
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<div>In 2021, a routine doctor’s visit was my wake-up call: I was obese, with triglycerides over 550. Faced with the reality of my health and my future with my children and someday grandchildren, I made a choice.
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<div>I started simply — walking every day. Within six weeks I lost 15 pounds, and I felt better. That led me to running, and then to my first half marathon. From there, the challenges kept growing: a triathlon with my brother-in-law, my first Ironman 70.3 in under seven hours, and then the full Ironman in Frankfurt, Germany in 2023. Overall dropping 50lbs and a new perspective on life!
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<div>When I discovered open-water swimming, something clicked. I trained for the 8-mile Alligator Lighthouse Swim, where I endured over 100 jellyfish stings and a shoulder injury, yet still finished. I realized then: swimming is not just training — <strong>it’s my passion</strong>.
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<div>Now, with eyes set on the English Channel before I turn 50, this Mayan Channel crossing is the next step in my journey.
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<div><strong>Why Visuality?</strong>
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<div>Endurance sports have taught me that no challenge is faced alone. The support of family, friends, and teammates makes the impossible possible. Visuality shares that same spirit — creating a team and a safe community for LGBTQ+ youth who face daily challenges of acceptance, identity, and belonging.
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<div>By donating, you’re not only helping me swim 27km across the Mayan Channel — you’re also uplifting young people who deserve the same sense of strength, support, and future that endurance has given me.
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<div><strong>How You Can Help</strong>
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<div>Goal: $5,500 (50% to Visuality, 50% to cover training &amp; event costs)
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<div>Every dollar matters — together, we can create impact in the water and in the community.
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<div>Support Visuality and make waves of change for LGBTQ+ youth.
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<div>Or donate directly to Visuality: <a href="https://visualityswfl.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Visuality</a>
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<div>I will be providing updates to my training and the really cool people in the community that are supporting me!
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<div>The only way I’ll be successful is with the support of my best friend and partner Nichole!
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<div>what an adventure this will be!
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<div>Thank you for helping me turn this swim into something bigger than myself.
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<div>Let’s make every stroke count.
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Shelky Canestraro

Vicki Fair

Mayan Channel 27km Swim Fundraiser supporting LGBTQ

Still $4,796 to go. Help us build momentum.