PEOPLE OF INTEREST
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the third time.
Lin soon learned there was no local support group for
breast cancer survivors. She and her mother decided to
volunteer at the local office of the American Cancer Society to
help others who were in the same boat.
“I thought maybe the two of us could sit at the front desk
one afternoon a week and could spend some time together
giving back,” Reading says.
At the time, another cancer survivor, Fran Basso, was volunteering
in a similar capacity at Indian River Medical Center.
She met Reading and the two decided to combine their
efforts into the group now known as Friends After Diagnosis.
It merged with the Treasure Coast Ovarian Cancer Alliance
two years ago, and last year it expanded again to begin serving
all women with cancer and their loved ones.
In late 2018, after years of hosting support meetings in
donated and rented spaces, Friends After Diagnosis opened
at 3404 Aviation Blvd., Vero Beach. It has space for one-onone
meetings and group sessions. All meetings are open to
patients, survivors and their loved ones and caregivers.
In partnership with other groups, the organization also encourages
wellness by offering Pilates training, dance fitness,
horseback riding and crew rowing programs free of charge.
With the help of Vero Beach Rowing coaches and volunteers,
including the Vero Beach High School rowing team, participants
learn the fundamentals of rowing. The sport boosts
upper and lower body strength and, for many women with
cancer who spend most of their time indoors, it’s a chance to
connect with others while enjoying the Indian River Lagoon.
“It truly is a life-changing program for these women,”
Reading says.
The sessions begin with stretching and other warm-up exercises
near the city’s boat launch just north of the marina. The
program’s spring session concluded in February, with the next
session due to begin in October. Graduates wishing to continue
can take the Learn to Row program offered by Vero Beach Rowing,
with financial assistance from Friends After Diagnosis.
Reading enjoyed canoeing and kayaking on Wisconsin
lakes when she was growing up but says rowing is different.
“Everybody has to be in unison,” she says. “I tell people
anyone can do it. The name of our little team is Friends in
Harmony. We’ve had women come and row with us who
brought their caregiver with them! Maybe they don’t feel safe
unless their partner is with them, their sister, whoever it is,
but we do whatever we can to make it work for you.”
Suzy Stoeckel, a 13-year survivor of ovarian cancer, has
become an avid rower, thanks to her involvement in Friends
After Diagnosis.
“When you’re with a group that’s strong and supportive,
and you’re out on the water, you are able to leave real life
behind and just enjoy it,” she says.
To learn more about Friends After Diagnosis, visit
FriendsAfterDiagnosis.com. Donations to the Row Beyond
Diagnosis scholarship fund are welcome.
Friends After Diagnosis members call themselves Friends in Harmony when they’re rowing together in the Indian River lagoon.
/FriendsAfterDiagnosis.com