Pool of Life Members
Meet the Pool of Life members..
Wendy DeCorte
I was diagnosed in August 2004. I had a mastectomy, and full ancillary clearance. This was followed by 6 months chemotherapy and 15 days radiotherapy.
I joined Pool of Life in August 2005 and have been hooked ever since. I have not only traveled around the country, but I have been lucky enough to go to Singapore, (to the 1st Breast Cancer World Championships) Prague and Australia. The latter is due to my daughter competing in these countries. She became involved in dragon boat racing through Pool Of Life.
Although we are a breast cancer dragon boat team, family and friends are most welcome to train and race with us.
Gail
Tyrer
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2004, the type of cancer I had was lobular which had spread into my lymph nodes in the neck. I had Chemotherapy first and then a left mastectomy and then 25 sessions of radiotherapy. I have 2 children Andrew and Holly a husband Kevin and a 2 year old grandson Thomas.
In May 2005 I joined the 'Pool of Life' and have been paddling since, I have traveled all over the country competing with Amathus as a 'Pool of Life' paddler and a Wasp enjoying every minute of the comradeship and the fun. In September 2006 I competed in the first Breast Cancer World Championships in Singapore winning 1 silver and 3 bronze medals and meeting breast cancer survivors from all over the world - an experience I will not forget.
Marion
Eastwood
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2003 and had a lumpectomy. Five out of twelve lymph nodes were affected and I had to have six sessions of chemotherapy followed by fifteen sessions of radiotherapy.
I joined the 'Pool of Life' early in 2005 and I train along with my husband, Gerald, twice a week. We have to make a round trip of 100 miles to the Liverpool Watersports Centre where we train under the umbrella of Amathus DBC. We have traveled together all over the country competing with the Club. The ‘Pool of Life’ is a floating support group enabling me to keep fit, forge new friendships and, most importantly, have fun.
In August 2006 I went to Prague with the Great Britain Senior Ladies team to compete in the European Championships. We won two gold medals in the 200m and 500m races. To represent Great Britain was a wonderful experience which I will never forget.
In September 2006 the Pool of Life competed in the first Breast Cancer
World Championships in Singapore winning one silver and three bronze
medals. Meeting breast cancer survivors from all over the world was an
emotional occasion. I think finding the sport of dragon boating has made
me a stronger person both physically and mentally, so through adversity
came something positive!
Anne Holt
Hi my name is Anne. I am 54, married to David and have two children Jonathon 24 and Rachel 21.
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002, had a mastectomy, 8 sessions of Chemotherapy and 15 sessions of radiotherapy. My cancer had spread to 8 out of 15 lymph nodes. I was given a poor prognosis by my surgeon and succeeded in gaining early retirement after 29 years of teaching.
Having cancer certainly has changed my life for the better in many ways. I took up ballet and tap dancing, something I had longed to do since childhood. But, the greatest chang to my life has been taking up dragon boat racing. Joining 'Pool of Life' has benefited me in many ways.
I am physically fitter certainly but, more importantly I feel more positive and strong mentally. I love the camaraderie when training in the boat on the dock and there's nothing to compare to the excitement experienced when racing. Competing in Singapore and meeting so many other breast cancer survivors was the icing on the cake - with a cherry on top! But for me one of the best things about paddling is that I can do it with my husband David - my greatest supporter.
Brenda
Fitzgerald
Joan
Elmer
I was diagnosed with breast cancer on my 50th birthday in June 2001.
I had a radical mastectomy later the same month. I September I underwent reconstructive surgery at the Countess of Chester Hospital, a lot more uncomfortable then the mastectomy!!
Very sadly, in December 2003 my husband of 33 years died suddenly, my world fell apart, my two sons and daughter-in-law where strong for me and helped me through the dark days.
I am now a happy healthy person, I am the manager of Sunflowers, a small cancer charity in Aigburth, Liverpool, I joined the 'Pool of Life' team in February this year, life is looking good.
Chris
Melia
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2003. I had a mastectomy followed by 6 months of chemotherapy and 15 sessions of radiotherapy.
I picked up a leaflet in 2004 asking for people living with breast cancer to come forward and participate in Britain's first breast cancer Dragon boating team. I went along to the meeting where a video was shown of Canadian breast cancer survivors and as I watched them paddle I was completely inspired.
The women dragon boaters were from all walks of life and of a wide age range. At the meeting it was said that this would be us in 2006 in Singapore, competing in he first World Championships for Breast Cancer Survivors. This filled me with hope and I dared to look to the future. We were all moved to tears at this meeting. Our launch was October 2004 and I have been dragon boating since. Oh yes, and we competed in Singapore winning 1 silver and 3 bronze medals.
Margie
Shields
Linda
Williams
I am the third generation breast cancer in my family, losing my Mum and Grandma. I was diagnosed in 1992 aged 37, had a mastectomy followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy, spending long periods in Christies Hospital Manchester. I had my second mastectomy in 1996 only as a precaution.
I joined 'Pool of Life' in September 2005 and really enjoyed it. We have done some challenging thins together like the 26 mile paddle down the canal and later this year we are competing in Italy.
Some fellow paddlers have nick named me Brown Owl, which makes me smile, I was not only a girl guide but a Queens Guide and proud of it. Cancer has brought us together, but has not broken us, we are stronger for it and we live life to the full and enjoy it. Oh by the way another big thing in my life this year I am soon to become Mrs Linda Jackson.
Paula Willis
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999, I had a mastectomy and a full lymph node clearance, this was followed by 6 months of chemotherapy. I then had a full reconstruction which was filmed by Channel 4, for embarrassing illnesses!!
I found this to be a life changing experience and went on to leave my job of 13 years and went onto university and graduated as a bachelor of science. I joined 'Pool of life' in 2004 and I was also part of the Singapore team. I am now looking forward to the European Championships in Italy and hopefully in 2009 if we get enough sponsorship, competing in Canada.
Ali Baker
My cancer journey began when I was diagnosed in 2004 resulting in a lumpectomy and lymph gland removal. Treatment consisted of six months of chemotherapy and eighteen sessions of radiotherapy.
I felt liberated by having no hair which surprised me having had it long for many years! I have changed as a result having gained more in confidence and even been a comp ere at the Liverpool Cavern Club fronting a charity event. The shy woman that once was is reborn. The only barrier to achievement is yourself. Make every second count. I joined 'Pool of Life' in 2004 and was one of the first members at the launch in October 2004.
Thelma Bennett
I was diagnosed in 2005, having a mastectomy, chemotherapy and 6 weeks of radiotherapy followed by Herceptin.
I have 5 children, 9 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. I am 69 years young, can't swim and have never participated in any sporting activities. I joined 'Pool of Life' this year, which has given me the greatest buzz, friendships, support (my floating support group, better than knitting) and laughs. I am so looking forward to all the future opportunities that 'Pool of Life' can provide.
Carolyn Hanley
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2001 aged 37. I had a radical mastectomy followed by 6 months chemotherapy. In September 2002 I had a reconstruction at Countess of Chester Hospital.
I am now chairman of 'Sarah's Stars' which is a young women's breast cancer support group, where I met Wendy who introduced me to 'Pool of Life'.
I thoroughly enjoy Dragon Boating.
Kate Hanley
Hi I am Kate and I am 11 years old, and the youngest member of 'Pool of Life'.
I got involved with my mum Carolyn who is a breast cancer survivor.
I love Dragon boating and really enjoy being part of the 'Pool of Life' team.