When the Murdoch family hit the pool to raise money for cancer research three years it was expected to be a once-only splash.
Three years later, the Sylvan Lake family is still going strong and were backed up by about 60 other swimmers at the town’s Aquaplex on Saturday for the 12-hour charity swim called Chasing for a Cure.
“To be honest, I thought it was going to be a one-time thing,” said Chase Murdoch. “Then everybody was like, ‘So, when are you going to do it next year?’
“It’s the third year and hopefully it keeps going.”
Chase said that he and the rest of the family, including sister Samantha and parents Kevin and Teresa, are gratified to be able to give back to cancer research.
“It helped me out in my life so we might as well give back when we can.”
Chase, 16, was diagnosed with leukemia when he was 22 months old and underwent lengthy treatment. His cancer has been in remission for 10 years now.
On Saturday, four lanes of the pool were set aside for the fundraising swimmers, who came from Sylvan Lake, Red Deer, Lacombe, and as far as Calgary and Edmonton.
A relative even took to their own pool in B.C. to offer long-distance support.
The goal this year was to raise $10,000, and about $8,000 was counted by Sunday, with more donations expected. People can donate until the end of April through www.chasingforacure.yolasite.com
Teresa was pleased with the amount of support for the 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. event.
“Each year it gets better and better, said Teresa. “More people hear about it and find out about it.
“It’s slowly gotten bigger and that’s great.”
The family is grateful for the all the local business sponsors who came forward to cover pool costs and food and beverages for the swimmers.
Chase’s sister, Samantha, 19, who spearheaded the event, said she expects they will be back in the pool next year.
“I guess we’ll see where we end up this year. But people are already talking about next year.
“(The challenge) is really getting the word out. The community knows about it, but it’s getting the word out to other swimmers to try to get more teams participating — that’s the big thing.”
The fundraising swim has the potential to become a long-running event, she believes.
“I think we’ll got to year five and see where it’s at. If it gets bigger and bigger other people might help take it on.”
pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com