Helen Lowy

Why I’m swimming 1 km in the ocean (and need your help)

Hi friends,

This is a little long, but I hope you’ll read to the end.

Over the past few years, I’ve made a commitment to take on challenges that push me outside my comfort zone. I’ve free-dived and skydived. This year I’m taking on the ocean, with the added challenge of raising funds for a cause very close to my heart: cancer research through Can Too.

Last night our swim group heard from Professor David Gallego Ortega, a brilliant researcher who has made several breakthroughs. His work on the extremely aggressive Triple Negative breast cancer particularly struck a chord with me — it’s the disease that took the life of my lovely friend Ali far too soon. A single mum who had just turned 50, Ali fought so hard to stay with her two young daughters, but the cancer was too fast and too fierce.

Professor Ortega is just one of many researchers whose work is supported by Can Too.

I’m taking on this challenge in memory of my adored Uncle Vic, my dear friend Deano, my buddies Andrew and Ali, my childhood neighbour Roger — all taken in their early 50s — as well as my two cousins named Agnes (one thankfully still with us), my cousin Gabor, my Vietnam friends June & Phoung Anh, and my cousin Michael who is currently undergoing chemotherapy. And of course, so many other friends and relatives who have been touched by the Big C.

Here’s the funny part: I love the beach but absolutely hate cold water — even in summer. My family nickname is “Chicken-y” because I struggle to get past my knees at the beach. Big waves and deep open water are definitely not my natural habitat. I’m much more of a bathtub-warm Mediterranean swimmer! Add in the fact that my fitness has slipped in recent years… let’s just say I’m not starting from a place of strength.

But here I am. I’ve joined Can Too’s 12-week Summer Ocean Swim Program, which ends with a 1 km ocean swim in February. I’m training twice a week — one session in the pool, one weekend morning at Bondi — plus extra swims whenever I can squeeze them in. It hasn’t been easy, but I’m genuinely starting to enjoy it. The real joy comes from the other participants, our coaches, and our team leader — all gorgeous humans.

I’m sharing this because I’m asking for your support in raising much-needed funds for Can Too’s research grants. This is my first physical fundraising challenge and I’d really love to hit the fundraising target out of the water (pun intended). Over the years, I’ve supported so many readathons, marathons, charity treks and school fundraisers — and now I’m hoping you might consider supporting me, even with a small donation such as $20. There’s absolutely no obligation, but as they say — if you don’t ask, you don’t get!

Since its founding in 2005, Can Too has funded more than 160 research grants, supporting over 140 cancer researchers across 40+ Australian institutes. These grants span more than a dozen cancer types, and together represent over 230 years of research. They help Australia’s brightest scientific minds develop innovative treatments — from new immunotherapies to predictive biomarkers to smarter ways of targeting cancer cells.

Every donation, big or small, helps us get closer to a future without cancer.

If you feel called to donate, here is the link to my fundraising page:
https://www.cantoo.org.au/fundraisers/helenlowy/2026-summer-ocean-swim

If you have already donated a huge huge thank you for your support - it’s what drives me to complete the challenge.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Wishing you a Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and a joyful, healthy, fabulous 2026.

Helen xx