WeCanRow 2002
Team Biographies

Carol Glassroth, WI – Nurse Practitioner, Professor of Wisconsin
“I have been a Nurse Practitioner for 22 years and work with the Department of Family Medicine and teach in a nurse practitioner program in the School of Nursing, both jobs at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. I teach my students what I practice: pay attention to the person, not just the disease.”

Pauline Gillis, CA – Retired School Teacher
“After my chemo, I continued my life paying more attention to my personal needs.” After taking a month off of school to travel Europe, Pauline transferred to a new school and teaching assignment. She added yoga to her schedule. A friend attended a yoga class with Pauline and suggested that if she enjoyed yoga, she’d also be interested in rowing. “Soon I was hooked on this rowing adventure and joined my friend at the ZLAC Rowing club in San Diego.”

Sarah Benioff, MA – National Program Manager, Children’s Hospital
Sarah, a mother of two, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001 after discovering a lump while breast feeding her youngest. This lead to a familiar course of events that challenged her and her family. Her treatment included a successful lumpectomy, chemotherapy and seven weeks of radiation therapy. Despite the earmarks of such treatments; hair loss, nausea and exhaustion, Sarah was able to work and to care for Hannah and Noah, her then 10 month old and 2 year old, throughout the experience.

Stephanie Ferguson, VA – Cardiac Nurse
Stephanie’s club rowed at the Head of the Charles 2000 where she saw a boat with women in pink unisuits. That boat, she later discovered, was the original WeCanRow boat. “That could never happen to me, I have no risk factors, I have tiny breasts.” Her next mammogram was suspicious. “No biggie. A lumpectomy, then another…cancer. Well this sucks but maybe I can row with pink ladies!”

Barbara Szefc, CT – Retired CPA
Barbara, a mother of two, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993. “I’d been having yearly mammograms since the age of 40,” she says, “My mother died of breast cancer at the age of 58, so I knew to be careful.” In March of the same year doctors performed a partial mastectomy and followed with six weeks of radiation. With the treatment over Barbara looked to get beyond the experience.

Michele Marks, OH– CAD Designer
During the summer that included treatment; lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiation, Michele met Holly (Metcalf). “I was not in the boat being coached but offered to help, I just wanted to soak up the knowledge.” She followed that experience by going to the Row As One camp and Masters Nationals that summer.Vicki Merten, CN – Retired Biology Teacher
Despite the lumpectomy and chemotherapy Vicki never stopped being active. A one time avid figure skater she again began to skate and exercise, determined not to be slowed, even on the rough days. She was then introduced to a new sport through her best friend and her daughters. The three were coxswains who showed Vicki what a catharsis rowing could be. “I went to rowing camp in June of that year and have been rowing ever since,” Vicki remembers, “I love it.”

Beverly Furman, Virginia – High School bookkeeper
“Prior to my regular mammogram, I noticed a small lump on my ribs. After two opinions, I had a lumpectomy and radiation. Meeting my friend to row kept me going during the course of my treatment. I continue to have numbness, tightness and general soreness in my arm and chest but I still row. I had the opportunity to race in the Head of the Ohio in October 2000 as a part of the Row As One boat and we finished first in the over 50 category.” About the WeCanRow Program.

WeCanRow is a Row As One program designed specifically for women who have survived breast cancer. The program begins where surgery and physical therapy leave off, creating new opportunities for these patients to heal, both physically and emotionally. For more information visit www.rowasone.org or contact Shannon Ames by phone at 617-349-0092, by fax at 617-349-0072 or by email at Shannon@rowasone.org.

About the Row As One Institute
Row As One Institute's mission is to develop an empowering and safe learning environment for women and girls of all cultures, backgrounds and ability through recreational and competitive rowing. Our organization brings world-class coaching and custom-designed programs to girls and women. For more information on Row As One, any of its programs or this research visit our website: www.rowasone.org or contact Shannon Ames by phone at 617-349-0092, by fax at 617-349-0072, or by email at Shannon@rowasone.org.