When I regained some strength I got back in the water and surfing made me stronger and the stoked help me get through this battle. I was so blessed to have a loving family, great surf and non- surf friends and the love of God to help me pull through this gnarly section of my life.
After I recovered from this ordeal I became involved with a group of survivors who help and talk to people going through cancer. When the Hearst Cancer Resource Center opened about 7 years ago, I also volunteered. I was at the Arroyo Grande High School’s Puma swim meet representing the Resource Center with Bev Kirkhart, the director, when I came up with an idea. Let’s combine the medical world with the surfing community to help people with cancer. I mentioned this to Bev and she thought it was a great idea. I saw my oncologist, Tom Spillane and his wife Dr. Karen Allen at the beach, of course, and presented the idea of a surf contest and benefit to them. They loved the idea and so began Surfing for Hope. We were very fortunate to have a great group, both surfers and medical people, that appreciated this idea and jumped in to make it happen.
We held our first event in Nov. 2012 and it
was a huge success. Our event is like a 5-part play. We start with a memorial paddle out at Avila beach; then, have a dinner and auction in Avila. The next day is a surf contest at the Pismo pier and later in the day we have a Health Fair on the pier. We end with an awards ceremony at Steamer’s Restaurant in the wonderful city of Pismo. We raised more than $60,000 our first event and almost $50,000 with this year’s event. All the money goes to helping and educating people with cancer through the Hearst Cancer Resource Center in San Luis Obispo which helps people in our area.
Passion is my word and the one I embrace when I talk to other people who are challenged with cancer. For me, my passion is, and always will be surfing. I tell people to find what they like or love and use it to get through the difficult ride of fighting cancer. Surfing for Hope is my thanks to surfing and being able to participate in this wondrous sport that is not only healthy, but healing.
H