2026 Tri for a Cure Updates

This year Maine Community Swimming supported 12 women on their quest to compete in the Tri for a Cure! Here are some of their thoughts.

Missi P.

“After being diagnosed in November 2023 with breast cancer and having my last surgery (of three) in April 2024, I found myself walking around the Tri for a Cure expo the following July thinking to myself ‘Look at all you’ve overcome. I think you should do this.’ Then I said it out loud to a friend. We both laughed, ‘But you don’t know how to swim.’…I have never been comfortable in any form of water. If someone told me I would be swimming in the ocean over my head .3 miles I would have said nope not me!!! My first lap in a pool I said nope! I kept saying it every lap until I met Brooke and her swim crew, my ‘swim angels.’  They gave me support, confidence and the courage to believe in myself! Who knew I’d be swimming 700 yds twice a week in a pool?!? And that I would be in the ocean actually having fun, talking and laughing along the way (when I wasn’t choking on waves). I may be slow but Brooke tells me when I put my face in the water I’m fast!! So here’s to the next year of training. Next year at the swim you won’t see me because I will be doing freestyle with my face in the water. Thank you for such a great swim experience!”

Kate DiConzo

“A huge thank you to Maine Community Swimming and all of the incredible volunteers who gave their time to the swim clinics. Because of your encouragement and support, I went from intimidated by open water to confidently running into it on race day.”

Tamiko

“I really enjoyed working 1:1 or 1:2 with a ‘coach’ in the pool and then having 1:1 in the ocean with an ‘angel.’  I would recommend this to everyone.”