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7th Hospicare Swim a Financial and Community-Building Success

Three hundred women and over 150 intrepid kayakers took to the water, raising over $258,000 for Hospicare. Event organizers decided that due to rough waters, the swim would be conducted along the shore, with swimmers completing a 1.2 mile swim going from South to North.

Jill and I were in the lucky first wave, 4th pod. Claire was our boater, and we fared pretty well despite some wave action.

The sun rose over the water as the caps of fellow swimmers bobbed ahead and behind us, framed by stalwart kayakers.

Thanks to Barbara Eckstrom having taught me the breast stroke, I was able to sight our goal and went “whoosh! glide…whoosh! glide…” across the waves without swallowing much water.

Many swimmers from the second wave, whose swim was cancelled due to worsening water conditions, took swims from the dock at the Ithaca Yacht Club in small groups accompanied by the kayak safety team.

Despite the change in plans, spirits were high. The sense of community was palpable. I feel certain we were not alone, and I also believe that some lifelong connections were made today.

Now I can honestly say “I’m a swimmer!” On my own behalf and that of a grateful community I’d like to thank Hospicare, its donors, staff, Women Swimmin’ Planning Team, event sponsors, boaters, swimmers, and volunteers. Today Hospicare changed lives for the better.

Support Hospicare: Sponsor a Swimmer for Women Swimmin’ 2010

Despite an abundance of timely political events, by far the biggest influence in my personal life these past few months has been Women Swimmin’. Now in its seventh year, this fundraiser for Hospicare and Palliative Care Services (HPCS) is a community swim that embraces and helps define our strengths as a community. Since I embarked on the journey to prepare and train for Women Swimmin’, I have encountered excitement, support, encouragement, and have heard dozens of stories of empowerment and success.

While exercising to strengthen my knee after surgery, I noted a friend’s dedication to swimming laps. When I asked what motivated her, she replied, “Women Swimmin’”! A few weeks later, my partner Jill and I became two of the lucky 300 women signed up to swim 1.2 miles across Cayuga Lake to raise funds for Hospicare. It’s more than a fundraiser, though. It’s a community builder, a physically fulfilling experience, and an educational opportunity. The slogan says it best: “It’s not how you swim, it’s how you live.”

To quote from (Kathy’s Women Swimmin’ Webpage): “Swimming laps at Helen Newman, Island Health and Fitness, and area State Parks has progressed to lake swimming. It’s deeply satisfying and spiritually nourishing. The lake swimming with friends and kayakers has been especially profound. I’m grateful to be part of this tremendous community swim.

This year finds me especially grateful for my health after successful knee replacement surgery in September. Gentle encouragement provided by a friend who has been part of this event since its inception has inspired me to participate in 2010.

I swim to honor the memory of my mother, Olivia C. Herrera, and my father, John J. Herrera, knowing that Hospicare would respect the wishes and honor the spirits of these giants.
I also swim in memory of Ralph Hill, who passed last year, and Peggy Amici, who recently passed. My friends and their families had the physical, emotional, and spiritual comfort that Hospicare provides. I swim to support the continuation of that mission. We are so fortunate to have Hospicare in Tompkins County!

Health Insurance Reform is Better than the Status Quo

As an advocate for single payer health care (also known as Medicare for all), I’ve struggled as the reforms I’d supported got diluted and distorted.

Rather than rant more about that, I’ll take this opportunity to note that some reform is better than taking no action at all to repair a broken system. Right now, millions of people in the U.S need health insurance reform, and they can’t wait for the perfect bill.

As Democrats line up behind President Obama to support this effort, I applaud the skill and tenacity that got us this far even as I recall that our aim was for so much more. I have to hope that this progress will add momentum to other efforts that are underway.

It looks like President Obama is coming through for us, despite huge resistance from special interests. No matter what, this is historic, and is a sweet moment for working people, the poor, and the unemployed. Let’s savor it even as we work for future gains.

No Industry-Written Health Care Reform: Ithaca Democratic Socialists Say “Kill the Bill”

I am in favor of single payer health care, also known as Medicare for all. I won’t settle for “reform” legislation written by the insurance industry to maximize profits at the expense of working families. Former New York State Assemblyman Marty Luster and Theresa Alt of the Ithaca Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) today issued this press release, stating the case more strongly:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 17, 2009
ITHACA SOCIALISTS SAY “KILL THE BILL!”

The Ithaca Local of Democratic Socialists of America today called for the defeat of the health care “reform” bill that is emerging from the Senate. Continue reading →

Marcellus Shale Hydrofracking Discussed with Walter Hang on Democracy Now

Check out this video of Amy Goodman’s Democracy Now interview of Walter Hang about hydrofracking and the lack of adequate regulation in Governor Paterson’s proposed supplemental generic environmental impact statement:

It’s about 11 minutes and is riveting info for those of us concerned about the inadequacies of the proposed sGEIS on Marcellus Shale Hydrofracking. Continue reading →