I’m swimming 5 miles this September for the American Cancer Society — and it’s deeply personal.

My mom’s birthday is September 1st. We lost her to cancer on December 10, just two days before my own birthday. She was diagnosed nearly two years before that. And throughout it all — from diagnosis to grief — swimming has been my lifeline.

I started swimming more seriously during the pandemic, when pools were one of the few places still open. At first, I struggled — vertigo made breathing difficult, and it threw off my form. I picked up a swim snorkel, and it changed everything. It helped me stay horizontal, keep proper posture, and finally build strength and endurance. The progress came fast.

Then came the diagnosis. My mom’s cancer changed everything. Swimming became more than exercise — it became my outlet. My therapy. My focus. It kept me grounded when the world around me felt like it was falling apart.

We were incredibly lucky to be able to celebrate her 80th birthday surrounded by friends and family. It was a beautiful, joy-filled moment during an otherwise painful and uncertain time. I’ll always be grateful for that day.

When we lost her — just days before my birthday — I turned to the pool again. And I’ve kept it up since. For the past few years, I’ve been swimming 1 to 3 kilometers every couple of days. It’s still the one place where I feel strong, healthy, and sometimes even close to her.

So this September, I’m putting those laps toward something bigger: 5 miles for cancer research and support. Because f*ck cancer.

I’m still grieving. I don’t know if I’ll ever fully recover. I miss my mom every single day. But when I swim, I feel her with me. I hear her voice. I feel her comfort. It helps — but it’s no substitute for having her here.

I’m doing this to honor her, to raise awareness, and to help move us closer to a future where no one loses someone they love to this terrible disease.

If you can, please support the cause. Every bit helps.

For my mom. For yours. For all of us.