{"id":39718,"date":"2016-06-20T15:32:14","date_gmt":"2016-06-20T19:32:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/?p=39718"},"modified":"2019-01-25T14:10:31","modified_gmt":"2019-01-25T19:10:31","slug":"brock-triathlon-in-honour-of-athlete-who-lost-battle-with-cancer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/2016\/06\/brock-triathlon-in-honour-of-athlete-who-lost-battle-with-cancer\/","title":{"rendered":"Brock triathlon in honour of athlete who lost battle with cancer"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cWhen I was first diagnosed with cancer, I felt alone. I never imagined how many people I would inspire with my story.”<\/em> \u2013Naomi Cermak (1982-2013)<\/p>\n

In 2013 at the age of 31, Naomi Cermak (MSc \u201906) lost her battle with metastatic melanoma cancer. She\u00a0continues to inspire others to fight and find a cure.<\/p>\n

This summer, Brock University’s\u00a0Faculty of Applied Health Sciences and the Department of Athletics and Recreation are looking for triathlon participants to support a graduate student scholarship in memory of Naomi Cermak. The triathlon will take place on Thursday, July 21 at Brock.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe development of this scholarship will help us remember Naomi, as both a researcher and an athlete,\u201d says Tineke Cermak.\u00a0\u201cMy daughter was an amazing young woman who was still writing papers and mentoring students while undergoing treatment.\u201d<\/p>\n

At the time of her diagnosis, Cermak was a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Maastricht in Holland and her papers on beet root juice and performance are still cited by researchers.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to honour Naomi\u2019s memory through the development of a graduate student scholarship and raise awareness of melanoma cancers and the importance of skin protection, particularly among athletes,\u201d says Department of Kinesiology Chair Brian Roy.<\/p>\n

For a number of years, the Brock community has embraced the sport of triathlon, with several small indoor and outdoor events each year.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis summer, one of our annual try-a-tri events is aiming to become a little more meaningful,\u201d says Athletics and Recreation Fitness Manager Eric Walter.<\/p>\n

The Naomi Cermak Tri to Inspire Memorial Event will remember and celebrate her life in a meaningful way, says Walter.<\/p>\n

Cermak is\u00a0remembered by those who knew her as a friendly, optimistic individual who always looked on the bright side and inspired thousands with her drive to train for a 226-kilometre triathlon while undergoing painful treatment for cancer.<\/p>\n

Suffering\u00a0from metastatic melanoma, Cermak managed to strength train from her hospital bed and rode a stationary bike when the pain was bearable. In between doctors’ visits, she participated in yoga and swam.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs part of her swim training, she headed north to Georgian Bay where she wore a special wet suit to shield her skin from the sun, which needed extra protection as a result of the side effects from the cancer medications,\u201d explains Roy.<\/p>\n

Despite her efforts, Cermak withdrew from the triathlon because her immune system was\u00a0compromised and her health was deteriorating. Cermak lost her battle with cancer and died\u00a0on Dec. 14, 2013.<\/p>\n

You can show your support and participate in the Naomi Cermak Tri to Inspire as an individual or as a team.<\/p>\n

The memorial event will begin at noon in the Eleanor Misener Aquatic Centre with a 150m or 400m swim followed by a 10km bike ride and 2km run. Following the event, participants are invited to join the Farmer\u2019s Market in Jubilee Court.<\/p>\n

The first 50 people to register for the event will receive a Badger Balm sun care product courtesy of the W.S. Badger Company, Inc.<\/p>\n

Representatives from the Canadian Cancer Society of Niagara will be at the Farmer\u2019s Market during the month of July to provide information about melanoma and metastatic cancers and the importance of sun protection.<\/p>\n

To register, contact the Athletics and Recreation Welcome Desk at 905-688-5550 x4060 or\u00a0www.brocku.ca\/recreation-services<\/a><\/p>\n

Date: Thursday, July 21, 2016<\/p>\n

Triathlon starts:\u00a0noon<\/p>\n

Cost: $20.00 (includes complimentary lunch)<\/p>\n

Visit brocku.ca\/donate<\/a> and select Naomi Cermak Graduate Student Scholarship on the gift designation drop down menu to make a contribution.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t