Survivor narrates cancer-fighting journey to 2.5km open sea swimming experience

 By Olivia Miwil - September 16, 2023 @ 3:38pm

Gracie Lim described her first swimming experience at the open sea for 2.5 kilometers as similar to her cancer-fighting journey. - NSTP/ ADAM ARININ

KOTA KINABALU: Gracie Lim described her first swimming experience at the open sea for 2.5 kilometers as similar to her cancer-fighting journey.

"At the start, there were many people who swim with you. Along the way, you would sometimes be lonely because you are swimming alone. Then you would meet somebody to encourage you not to give up,

"I think the most important thing is no matter how far the journey is, what is in front of you, as long as you don't give up, you will reach it.

"Cancer is not that scary, and it can be cured," said the 35-year-old who took part in the inaugural Kinabalu Pink Ribbon Open Sea Swim 2023 at Tanjung Aru beach here.

Gracie's aunt Lim Sat Chu, 70, said it was a joy for her to be part of the 97 swimmers although her category was only 500 metres.

"I am from Papar and used to swim at the sea. Now I still love the sea and will usually join such events with friends.

"To me this event, (this reminds us) that we are very lucky to be healthy and having carefree life therefore we should always help those who are suffering.

"There are many disasters such as floods and earthquake, I am hoping that more young people would go into volunteering works," said the volunteer for Palliative Care Association who accompanies patients at the hospital to do chemotherapy and radiotherapy, as well as other charity work.

The event which started at 6am also saw many young swimmers and "mermaids" take part in the event. The youngest was a 9-year-old Lennox Joibi from Penampang.

Organising chairperson Rainty Tioh said the event was targeting different communities in raising breast cancer awareness.

"Kinabalu Pink Ribbon has always been advocating about breast cancer at schools, organisations and at villages.

"But this time, we wanted to involve swimmers. When participants take part in this event, their family members will come to support and the latter become our new target to bring awareness to them."

Present was Kinabalu Pink Ribbon founder and president Datin Lucilla Pang.