Tatiana Sviridova

Cancer. I won’t give you official statistics - it is measured in people for me: my dad Sergey, my friend Jorge, my friend Erik, my friend Zukhra, my friend Pete, my friend Kim. They’ve lost the battle, gone too early. Too. Damn. Early.

I hate waking up at 5am to train but every time I want to complain I remember my friend Jorge who, after months of treatments messaged me “I think I am turning the corner, hopefully I will be able to run again soon”.. Whenever I swim, run, paddle or lift, I remember that it’s a damn privilege that I have, not a chore. That there are many many people who are injured, sick or disabled and cannot train now. And I still can.

Truth be told, I joined Cantoo to learn to paddle a surf ski not to fight cancer. But as I learned more about the organization, I appreciated it’s two-way approach to fight cancer: prevent and manage. It creates supporting group environment to help us get fit and thus prevent certain types of cancer. And it encourages us to fundraise money for early cancer research. Cantoo have lots of programs to get engaged in: runs a race (marathon or trail), learn to swim in the ocean or learn to paddle a surf ski. I would so encourage anyone to join, boost your health, learn a sport, build a beautiful community and fundraise for a good cause. 

So if you can, please support my fundraising

Stay healthy and happy!