What
does it take to survive cancer? It takes a great medical team
and years of research to find the best treatment. It also takes
the love and support of family, friends and coworkers. Just ask
Janet and Dan Corley---MTSC Masters’ Athletes of the Month. Janet
is a two time breast cancer survivor, a swim teacher and a mom
to three lively teenagers.
MTSC
Masters and the staff at Sea Star Swim School are so inspired
by Janet, they will celebrate “Janet Corley Day” on Saturday,
July 18th.
And
how does a swim team honor one of its members? By swimming, of
course! Janet, Dan, their children, coworkers and teammates will
travel to Chicago, and “Team Janet” will swim in an event called
“Swim Across America ”. Swim Across America, Inc., [SAA] is dedicated
to raising money and awareness for cancer research, prevention,
and treatment through swimming- related events.
Janet
was first diagnosed in September 2000. Amid the flurry of the
surgeries and treatments, Janet and Dan realized that the children
needed swim lessons. They called Sea Star Swim School and enrolled
all three of them in classes. That’s when Janet learned about
MTSC Masters. She immediately thought it would be a perfect fit
for Dan, because he had been a swimmer in high school and still
loved to swim.
“He
was trying to run at the time, but hated the hills -- Florida
has no hills. He began swimming and was hooked,” Janet explained.
Dan
joined MTSC Masters immediately, and it wasn’t long until Rachael,
Evan and Kristen joined MTSC. Now that he and the children were
involved in swimming, it was a natural progression to get Janet
in the pool as well.
“With
no hair and feeling awkward, I remember Ron inviting me to swim
any time I needed to and that maybe it would help. He told me
the story of a friend who would swim after chemo and it would
help him feel better,” she explained.
“I
did not immediately begin swimming, but the seed was planted.
After watching my husband and children, I decided to jump in and
learn. What an experience to swim in my first swim meet as an
adult!”
Not
only did she begin swimming, she is now a swim teacher at Sea
Star Swim School. Even a recurrence of cancer last fall didn’t
keep her from teaching--even though she was undergoing an arduous
course of chemotherapy, she never missed a day of classes.
“I
know that swimming, teaching and the wonderful people in my life
give me strength, make me laugh and encourage me to face whatever
lies ahead,” said Janet.
Dan
agrees.
“Cancer has a way of reminding you of your mortality and not taking
for granted those you love. I think that's one of the greatest
things our family has learned through all this.”
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