Saturday is the 8th annual Teal Lake Swim
NEGAUNEE -- Erika Hefke has participated in the Teal Lake Swim for three years now, but this year's event will be a little more challenging.
"I was diagnosed in January with colon cancer, and I've been getting chemo since March, so that has interfered a little bit with my training schedule," says Hefke.
The chemotherapy treatment has caused Erika's body to tire more easily, and it's increased her sensitivity to the cold water. She used to train twice a week, now it's only once every two weeks.
"It's a pretty daunting thing to look across the lake and not be able to see the other side and think that you're going to cross it, but once you've finished it, driving past it every day is pretty great," Hefke says.
Erika says all the day activity will help motivate her to finish. And this year's event is shaping up to be an exciting one. Olympic water polo medalist Coralie Simmons will be swimming alongside the participants on Saturday.
"I'm excited! I was a little pressured to do the swim, I have to admit, but I'm glad I'm doing the swim. It invites me to get in the water and get fit," Simmons says.
Coralie says she's thrilled to be supporting a local event, especially given her strong ties to the area.
"Both of my parents were born up here, my grandfathers were miners at Hercules, worked at the Hercules plant, and both my parents were born at Bell Hospital," Simmons adds.
And if you're not interested in the the Teal Lake Swim, you can still get in the water to support a great cause: children with diabetes.
There's still time to register. For more information, click here.
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