Head of the Charles Regatta 2023
Rowing Cares and the newly formed Survivor Rowing Network (SRN), designed to expand the category “Survivor Rowing”, have entered two boats of cancer survivors in the Head of the Charles regatta. Twelve survivors along with their two MIT coxswains compose our two Collaborative Boats (Grand Masters Women’s 8+ and 4+). 11 of the 12 rowers have never competed in the Head of Charles, three have never competed in a Head race, ever and 11 only found rowing after completing treatment.
We Challenge you, your friends, family and teammates to row alongside these two boats, the length of the Head of the Charles course and show the athletes they are not alone, while also raising funds so more survivors can find rowing for recovery, rehabilitation and socialization.
Meet the incredible women who are rowing, coxing or coaching in this year's SRN boats at HOCR:
Amy Bauer, Westport, CT
I was initially diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2015 and after surgery began with the inaugural SRC SurviveOAR program in 2016. In 2018 I had a recurrence which required more surgery as well as chemo and radiation. As scary as that was, going through it with the support and encouragement of my fellow surviveoars was a game changer and almost made it feel "easier" than my original go around. I erged and rowed through my treatment and when I couldn't, I rode the launch or sat out. Being surrounded by women who knew what I was going through and knew how and what to say was beyond comforting. Despite being a disparate group of women, the bonds forged through this program have been life changing.
Lori Boersma, Fairfield, CT
After two breast cancer diagnoses, one of which led to a medically induced coma for 54 days, I needed a community of support that understood what I had been through and an outlet for my mental health. Insert the SurvivOARs - a group of ladies who always have my back, a new sport that has become my biggest passion, and a community that helps me understand why I was given a second chance at life.
Shari Lowen, Sacramento, CA
“You’ve got cancer”. Having rowed for 10 years, one of my first questions after hearing those shocking words was, “… will I ever be able to row again?” On August 16, 2021, I underwent surgery for lung cancer. On August 16, 2023, I attended the kick-off meeting of the coaches and rowers invited to represent the Survivor Rowing Network at the Head of the Charles. I am forever grateful to not only be rowing again, but to be part of this amazing community.
Victoria Madden, Wilton, CT
I was diagnosed with breast cancer 7 years ago. After enduring a year of chemo, surgery and radiation I was introduced to rowing when our local breast cancer center and rowing club teamed up in an effort to add a new fitness opportunity for their patients. Rowing has given me so much - community, friends and fitness - I’m in the best shape of my life! Racing at the Head of the Charles Regatta is an incredible opportunity!
Dee Marrara, Alexandria, VA
In July of 2015 I was supposed to have participated in a learn to row program with the City of Alexandria, Va. However in June of 2015, I was diagnosed with Stage 2B bilateral breast cancer and over the next year underwent: chemotherapy, radiation, a double mastectomy, and reconstruction surgery. In May of 2016 I discovered WeCanRow DC's learn to row program and I was hooked from there. As a former Division I athlete, my identity was so wrapped up in my body and what it was able to do; I was scared and a complete mental and emotional mess. I thought cancer had taken it all away from me, but far from it. I am now competing in the HOCR!
Sharon Prouty, Cortlandt Manor, NY
My cancer has fortunately, been 20 years in the past, when I had a lumpectomy and lymph node removal, having had a small tumor identified on a mammogram. At every annual mammogram, I still hold my breath! I am proud and honored to be a part of this team going to the HOCR, to help promote prevention, early detection and support.
I came to rowing, not related to my cancer, but to improve fitness and enjoy the water
Mary O’Hara, Cortlandt, NY
I had endometrial cancer May 2019 and recovered through treatments. Currently fighting colon cancer with aggressive and frequent screenings. On leave from work I found CCRA at one of their Learn to Row events. The rowing community is special, but Cortlandt Community Rowing Association is a godsend. Now I’m finding my way back to better health one stroke at a time. Being a rower at the Head of the Charles? Unfathomable, a bit daunting, and a true honor.
Christine Robinson, Alexandria, VA
I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in the Fall of 2006. During treatments the following Spring I saw flyers about We Can Row DC, and said when I am healed (and get the courage) I am going to try this! I had never been involved with organized sports, only being a gym rat and living an active life. My Novice season was 2011 and I haven't looked back. Still rowing and competing as life (and opportunity) allows and am very grateful to be a part of this team.
Sue Rutz, Stamford, CT
Shortly after a routine mammogram and ultrasound, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer and underwent a year of surgery, intense chemo, and radiation treatments. Wanting to put that dreadful experience behind me and having no experience with rowing, I was initially reluctant to join the SurviveOAR group – boy, am I glad I did! The camaraderie and motivation to continuously improve our health has been life changing. I have been cancer free for 9 years and will always be grateful for all that this team has given me, including the opportunity to participate in HOCR!
Holly Sexton, Wilton, CT
In 2015 my world changed when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Up to that point my lifestyle was sedentary, but as part of my recovery program, I discovered the Learn-to-Row program offered through my hospital at the Saugatuck Rowing Club. My daughter was a rower in high school so I decided to surprise my family by attempting to learn to row. It forever changed my life as I became stronger, met life-long supportive teammates in the program, and truly focused on my well-being. Rowing provides an empowering experience, and covers all the bases… physical, mental, emotional and social. These components, along with the bonds we make are a large part of our healing regimen. I am so grateful to be part of the Survivor Rowing Network to inspire others on their journey to thriving after their diagnoses. I have been cancer free for eight years and am in better health than before the cancer. Head of the Charles, here we come!!!
Coxswains
Leslie Ann Hunt, Cortlandt Manor, NY
Thanks to the encouragement of a fellow tall mom at her child’s school, Leslie learned to row in 2018 with the Pelham Community Rowing Association. Leslie quickly became an avid rower, getting in a shell as many mornings a week as possible. When her family looked to move communities, they only looked at communities with rowing. When diagnosed with cancer in Fall 2021, Leslie’s first thought was, “I am so lucky this is happening at the end of the Fall season. I can be back on water in Spring!”
Her rowing crew and the goal of getting back to the water carried through treatment. The day after she shared her diagnosis with her teammate, the first casserole arrived. Almost every morning she woke to find something from the club had been quietly placed on her front porch- muffins, flowers, candies, a grocery delivery, hand knitted chemo hats in team colors knitted by (Mary O’ Hara) a fellow rower who also had survived cancer. At Christmas she discovered her mailbox decorated with a garland that included a note from the club. Teammates brought her favorite coffee to celebrate her birthday.
The treatment plan included neoadjuvent chemo, meaning that she would have six months of chemo before her first surgery. On days when she had chemo treatment she would drive to the lake and river to visit the boats. During chemo she would talk to the cancer team about rowing, and invite the infusion nurses to think about joining the team. The sole goal of on-going physical therapy was a return to rowing. Physical therapy focused on a full range of motion for the arms, the ability to carry a boat overhead, core strength, balance & dexterity to overcome chemo induced peripheral neuropathy that left her hands and feet numb. When she was released from the hospital post-surgery she asked to go visit the boats. Days after surgery she hid her surgical bandages and drains to go watch her crew mates row at Rowing Cares Poughkeepsie. Four weeks after surgery Leslie was back on the water, and was able to row through the weeks of radiation treatments. Racing at the Head of the Charles will take place on the two year anniversary of her diagnosis.
Lisa O’Gorman, Westport, CT
During treatment for breast cancer I was in the office of APRN Mary Heery of Norwalk Hospital and saw a picture of happy joyous women rowing and asked her who they were. She told me of the SuriviveOARS rowing team that practiced out of Saugatuck Rowing Club and the rest is history!! I knew about the sport from watching rowers on the Hudson River while at Culinary School and through my rower husband Frank. I thought it was the coolest sport and hoped to one day be able to try it. Learning to row was the silver lining of my breast cancer experience. I was very shy and nervous the first time I met the team.. The ladies on the team and the coach were all so welcoming, supportive and enthusiastic that I felt comfortable immediately. The community, love and that no matter what support of this team is something that I want every and anyone who has had to deal with cancer to experience. Knowing that there are people waiting for me early in the morning certain days of the week gave me purpose and inspiration when I came off of the cancer journey and trying to piece my life back together after months of being told where I would be and at what time for what treatment. To be rowing at the Head of the Charles with them is such a dream come true. It is my wish to connect with others who are looking for something to help them recover their health, lives and to get real joy back into their lives. I am forever grateful for SurviveOARS Rowing and Survivor Rowing Network and all those who have made this possible.
Anna Kaganov, MIT Rowing, Ann Arbor, MI
My name is Anna Kaganov, I am from Ann Arbor, Michigan. I am currently a Sophomore at MIT studying computer science. I have been a coxswain since my Freshman year of high school, so this is my 6th year coxing! I am a coxswain for the Lightweight Women's program here and this is my second-year racing at the Head of the Charles. I am very excited to be able to cox this boat this year!
Kayla Liu, MIT Rowing, Manhasset, NY
Hi, I'm Kayla and I am a freshman at MIT and a coxswain on the Women's openweight team. I am hoping to study neuroscience and computer science on the pre-med track. I grew up on Long Island, New York where I coxed for Manhasset High School Crew for around 5 years. I have previously coxed the Head of the Charles in 2021 and 2022 and I am thrilled to return. Outside of crew I enjoy traveling, being active, doing crosswords, and hanging out with friends.
Coaches
Coach Melissa Creighton
As coach for the Survivor Rowing team competing at Head of the Charles 2023, Melissa will bring 12 cancer survivors and two coxswains together for the first time. Melissa coaches the survivor rowers at Cortlandt Community Rowing Association on the Hudson near Verplank, NY. She also coaches for the West Point Army Crew. Melissa’s full-time job is in the healthcare sector where she is a full scope Midwife and Childbirth Educator at North Central Bronx Hospital, a position she has had for the past nine years. Melissa has a natural affinity to bring groups together and has unique talents to bring the best out of each and every person. She recently hosted learn to row sessions for healthcare workers and first responders - highlighting the health benefits of the sport including elements of teamwork and working together in challenging situations.
Coach Holly Metcalf
Holly is Honorary Team Captain for the HOCR Survivor Rowing team in Boston, and has opened the MIT Boathouse for the SRN team. Both boats will launch from MIT, both with MIT coxswains.
Holly Metcalf is starting her 17th season as head coach for the MIT openweight women in 2023-24 in Boston. She has transformed the program from a struggling Division I squad into a team that is competitive within the Eastern Sprints, as well as in the Patriot League, where the Engineers’ varsity 8 squad has regularly gained the Grand Final.
In 2002 Metcalf established WeCanRow, a wellness and rehabilitation organization for female cancer survivors, a group which is part of the Survivor Rowing Network. She continues to find opportunities to use rowing to enrich the lives of hundreds of women and girls through a variety of non-profit programs. In 1994, she founded the Row As One Institute, which provides masters women with top-level coaching. She extended this concept to inner-city girls in 1996 with her G-ROW program in Watertown, Massachusetts.
Metcalf was a six-time member of the U.S. National Team and won five World Championship and Olympic medals, including a Gold Medal at the 1984 Olympics in the women’s eight. She has coached extensively at the club, college, and national team levels. Metcalf also directed the Silver Medal winning crew at the 1990 World Championships. A graduate of Mount Holyoke College, she was selected as a member of that school’s inaugural Athletics Hall of Fame in 2013.
The SRN athletes who are competing at HOCR will be at the JL tent on Saturday, October 21st at 3:00pm. Stop by to meet and chat with them, and learn more about Rowing Cares and the Survivor Rowing Network.