Bob Lynch and his good friend and rowing partner, Cork Friedman will be doing a special cancer survivor row in November of 2008 in support of the International Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia Foundation. The theme for the 2008 row is 'WORLD PEACE THROUGH INNER PEACE" . The row will cover approximately 175 miles in the Florida Panhandle, from Pensacola to Carrabelle. Captain Mike Newell has donated his boat the 'Miss Marisa" and his captain services as escort for the row. In previous rows, Bob and Cork rowed single dories. This year they are teaming together in a 18' double Heritage rowing dory, donated by Bill Larson, CEO of Little River Marine.
Wow! What a difference 13 years makes.
In 1995 at age 47 Bob Lynch was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer, Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia (WM). He was given a prognosis of 3 - 7 years if he started chemotherapy immediately. He and his wife Sue were thrilled when he successfully finished 18 months of chemotherapy. They began wondering what good could come out of this experience.
In 1998 they decided to take ROWING, a pastime Bob loves, and turn it into a unique effort to raise money to find a cure. It was named the THE EITHER OAR, CANCER SURVIVOR ROW. Over the last 8 years, Bob completed 4 rows; Key West-Miami, Melbourne-Miami, Stuart - Ft. Myers, and Melbourne-Jacksonville. These rows raised 130,000 for cancer research.
In addition to the money raised, they also have raised people's awareness to WM. Bob and Sue have shared their story of HOPE with thousands of people, resulting in over three dozen published articles, six TV news stories and two film documentaries.
When Mike heard their story he didn't blink an eye. He just said, "Now you have your Captain and your boat, let's figure out how we pay for the fuel".
Also, part of the miracle is Bill Larson, CEO of Little River Marine. Bill is again supporting the row. This year he constructed and donated an 18' double Heritage rowing dory for the trip. Boat lettering donated by Gulfstream Gear.
Nothing in this world remains the same, including the mission of the Either Oar Cancer Survivor Row. The mission will always be to raise money for cancer research but also to encourage people to go beyond themselves to touch the lives of others. This inlcudes raising peoples consciousness of the power of positive thinking. First and foremost, Bob never pictures himself with cancer. Each morning he wakes up and sees a healthy and whole person. Sue and Bob believe they co-create their day and the world they live in. They also believe we each need to BE the change you would like to see in the world.
So this year's theme is WORLD PEACE THROUGH INNER PEACE. We invite you during each day of the row to take time and think thoughts of peace. The RowBobRow crew will be doing the same. If we all could be thinking peaceful thoughts, we could affect those around us. Like a pebble sends ripples across a lake, our peace-filled thoughts will ripple across the world. We know when we create a mass consciousness; we can create some mighty powerful results.
Again this year, funds raised will be donated to the International Waldenstrom's Macroglobulin Foundation (IWMF). We have been involved with this group for 13 years. They fund research studies, as well as provide support for newly diagnosed patients, and keep the medical community abreast of the latest research findings relevant to WM.
To donate, please visit the Help Us pages.
Bill at Little River has done a special job with their 18' Heritage. It rows through chop so smoothly. When rowing with the wind on the forward quarter there seems to be no pointing of the bow. Anyone over 200 lbs. is going to love this boat. I notice no checking of the boat on my return seat slide, that's impressive. Thanks Bill, you've made my life so much sweeter.
Bob went ten years without treatment but recently found it necessary to sample some of the cutting edge drugs that their fundraising has helped discovere. While this new technology is certainly an improvement, one of the side effects is neuropathy - a maddening nerve disorder producing extreme tingling in the feet.
Rowing doesn't seem to worsen the condition so he and his good friend and rowing partner Cork Friedman are doing a special row this year, The Florida Panhandle Peace Row. It will cover approximately 175 miles, from Pensacola to Carrabelle.
