A new lady has joined the fleet of Vero Beach Rowing boats skimming along the Indian River Lagoon. ‘Friends’ was christened last Saturday morning during a ceremony at the MacWilliams Park boat launch.

The effervescent bubbles that were poured over the bow of the recently purchased shell paled in comparison to the excitement of the rowers who will be taking to the water in the beautiful vessel, which is adorned with a lavender racing stripe to advocate cancer awareness.

Two years ago Vero Beach Rowing began a partnership with Friends After Diagnosis, a group serving patients and survivors of breast and women’s cancers and their caregivers. The two groups joined together to establish a Rowing Beyond Diagnosis program.

“We love working with Friends,” said Austin Work, VBR director of rowing. He explained that members of their middle and high school rowing teams have volunteered to assist those new to the sport.

“The kids come off the water with the biggest smiles,” he said. “They’ve learned something and they’ve helped someone. There’s nothing more that can help out cancer research, cancer funding and cancer support than people being aware of its effects.”

Linda Merk-Gould, a cancer survivor who discovered rowing at a critical time in her own recovery 18 years ago, knew firsthand how impactful the sport could be. To help further expand the reach of Rowing Beyond Diagnosis, Merk-Gould wrote an Impact 100 Grant request toward the purchase of a lighter and more stable boat.

When Vero Beach Rowing received an Impact 100 Merit Award grant of $22,400 this past April, they made up the difference in cost themselves to enable the purchase of a 2018 Hudson Super Predator 4x, which will be used by Friends After Diagnosis as well as other nonprofit groups.

“I think one of the best things about Impact 100 is you find out about what’s going on in the community and where the need is,” said Brenda Cetrulo, Impact 100 grant committee chair, adding that the VBR programs can help transform the lives of individuals and their families. “That’s really what Impact 100 is about, that larger transformation.”

“Our survivors wanted a chance to get together outside of meetings. They needed to have fun and be with people that are going through the same things they are,” said Lin Reading, Friends founder.

During the christening ceremony Reading laid a branch of hibiscus leaves on the stern of the boat and poured champagne over the bow as an offering to Neptune and the gods of the sea.

Sylvia Swanson, who was among the first group of women to participate in Rowing Beyond Diagnosis, was impressed with the assistance of the rowing team girls. “It was a lovely exchange of learning and teaching between the different generations.”

She said that being out on the water helped her to heal and get in touch with her emotions. “There is a feeling of serenity. You’ve just had a beautiful gift from nature and you’ve been in sync with everyone around you. That energy exchange is very healing.”

For more information, visit verobeachrowing.com or friendsafterdiagnosis.com.