Summer News for You!

Leaving cancer behind one stroke at a time!

Our Mission: ROCCREW is committed to serving the physical and emotional needs of all cancer survivors. Through our shared rowing experience, we find a means to maintain wellness for our bodies, and courage and determination for our spirit.

We find healing on the water through the power of our commitment, and we hope to provide inspiration to all of those who face the challenges of cancer.

We are supporting people who have faced cancer or are currently under treatment by providing physical conditioning, rehabilitation, education, and camaraderie.

Please scroll down for more great information about this remarkable group of rowers!

ROCCREW Naiades Rowing Over Cancer 13th Annual Golf Scramble Tournament

Sunday, August 17, 2025 at the Lima Golf and Country Club.

Shotgun start at 12:00 p.m.

We value your participation in our annual golf fundraiser. Come play a round, socialize, enjoy nature, drink, eat and enjoy some music for this great non-profit cause. The funds we raise through sponsorships, donations and your participation help finance our financial assistance fund, purchase new equipment, and reduce our rowing fees.

TOURNAMENT DETAILS:

* Teams of 4 can sign up for 9 OR 18 holes - Mens/Ladies/Mixed teams & individual players are welcome

* Longest drive, closest to pin, hole-in-one, skins game and mulligans for sale, Par 3 - 12' circle ($5 fee optional)

* 18-hole entry fee of $125 per player includes golf, cart, lunch, dinner & player gift

* 9-hole entry fee $100 per player includes golf, cart, lunch, dinner & player gift

* Dinner only $25.00

* PayPal or credit card payments accepted online - cash or check accepted on day of tournament

* Registration and payment can also be done by mail. Print this form and submit with your payment to:

Naiades Oncology Rowing, PO Box 22661, Rochester, NY 14692

* Mailed registrations must be postmarked no later than Friday August 8th, 2025

* Online registrations will be closed on Friday August 15th at 12 NOON.

After that time by email Desiree Bethmann at desireebethmann@gmail.com by August 16th, 2025

Registration forms can be found on our website ROCCREW.com

DAY OF EVENT:

Registration – 10:00 AM in the downstairs banquet room. All players must check in.

Skins (18 Hole teams only), Mulligans, Golfer Gifts, Raffle ticket sales. All players will be told which Hole they will start at.

Lunch – 11:00 AM –Everyone must have ticket. Choice of hotdog, hamburger or veggie wrap, potato chips and non-alcoholic beverage. Cash bar available. Lunch will be served upstairs. Please mention on registration # of veggie wraps to be requested by your players.

Shotgun Start: 12:00 Noon: Island Oaks Course

Buffet & Awards:

4:00 PM: Appetizers, video about ROCCREW, and cash bar

5:30 PM Dinner: Buffet-Roast beef, Baked Chicken, Italian Sausage, Scalloped potatoes, Pasta in Sauce, Tossed Salad, Vegetable Medley, Rolls & Butter, Sheet Cake and Coffee. Presentation of awards.

On the course fun:

Longest Drive, Closest to the Pin, Hole in One, Par 3 – 12’ Circle contest ($5.00 optional)

ROCCREW Volunteers will be on the course at various holes.

Beverages placed at Holes #1 & 12 (water & soda) #2 & 14 (water, soda and beer)

18 Hole - Divisions: Men’s/Ladies/Mixed and 9 Hole Division

Individual Players welcome: we will get you on a team.

Best Dressed Team or Comically Dressed Team contest! Voted on by your peers and volunteers! (Optional)

Our SPONSORS have been VERY generous. We have gifts for all of our participants as well as various gift baskets, gift certificates and prizes that have been donated by local businesses. There are prizes for all types of interests:

* Baskets & Gift Cards

* Golfing Certificates & Sporting Event Tickets

* Wine Baskets

* Gift Certificates for Local Restaurants & Spas

* Brewery Tours & Tastings

We look forward to seeing you on August 17th!!! Click on the link below for registration information.

Registration form for Sponsors and Golfers

WELCOME NEW ROWERS!!!!

We are excited to have seven new rowers joining us on the water after a successful Spring Learn To Row experience!

Everyone is welcome to row with us! We are a crew of cancer survivors and supporters dedicated to fueling our bodies and spirits while sharing a rowing experience.

There is much to be said for the relationships you make with your Learn to Row class, and the camaraderie you share with all of our fellow survivors and supporters once you join the crew.

If you are interested in rowing with us, we will have another Learn to Row class this fall. This gives you an opportunity to learn important techniques, skills, and build your strength so you are ready to row as a crew when you enter the boat. After four sessions in the tanks at Pittsford Indoor Rowing Center, you will be ready to join us for our winter workout program, and be comfortable and ready to join the crew for the regular season in the spring! During a regular season rowers can choose to row one day a week, twice, or if ready to start preparing for regattas, up to three times each week.

Click below to receive more information about our next Learn to Row Session!

Learn to Row Interest Form

Celebrate Cancer Survivorship with ROCCREW and the Red Wings

Join ROCCREW at Cancer Survivors Night presented by the Wilmot Cancer Institute to celebrate cancer survivorship. The

event will feature the Rochester Red Wings playing against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, a Survivors Flag Ceremony

on centerfield, and fireworks! Stop by the ROCCREW Information Table to learn more about rowing and see if it mightbe for you or someone you know!

Date: Friday, July 25, 2025

Survivors Flag Ceremony: 6 p.m. (meet at the Sweet Spot Concession)

Game time: 6:45 p.m.

Location: Innovative Field/One Morrie Silver Way, Rochester

Tickets: $7.00 - $13.00

Purchase Tickets for Survivor Night at the Red Wings

ROCCREW Participates in National Taste of Rowing Day

In June, ROCCREW proudly took part in the National Taste of Rowing Day, a celebration designed to introduce newcomers to the incredible sport of rowing. This event gave us the chance to open our boathouse doors and welcome cancer survivors, supporters and curious first timers to experience the joy, teamwork, and empowerment that comes with being on the water.

Participants got a hands-on introduction to rowing basics, learned about the healing power of the sport, took a short ride on the water, and met members of our inspiring ROCCREW community. For many, it was their first time holding an oar - and hopefully just the beginning of a new journey.

Events like these remind us of why row: for strength, connection, and a shared

commitment to life beyond cancer. Thank you to all the volunteers and guests who made the day such a success.

Online Shop

Support your favorite rowing crew ROCCREW by purchasing some awesome swag. Visit our online store by July 30th to order your gear!

Meet our Crew!

This month we would like to introduce you to two remarkable women who row with us!

Taking on challenges is nothing new for Debbie. While recovering from her cancer treatment many years ago, she went rock climbing in Acadia. Her guide took care of the ropes and other gear and, with his support, she climbed 70 feet on the South Bubble and sat for a while in a little niche looking over the Atlantic. This journey reminded her that she was strong and competent despite the torturous treatments that saved her life. These days Debbie spends her time singing with the Eastman Rochester Chorus, cross country skiing in the winters and hosting her children and grandchildren on Sunday mornings for blueberry pancakes and mimosas followed by a day of games and fun before enjoying a delicious meal cooked by her son and his several assistants!

Deb credits ROCCREW for providing a wonderfully supportive environment when her cancer returned a few years ago. After only sharing the news with one person, she found hot soup at her door, a basket of goodies, messages, cards and prayers of support. “They understood without being told.” We, as her teammates, admire her dedication to over fifteen years with ROCCREW and her steady stroke and support for all new rowers. She makes everyone feel as though they are valued and important in her boat!

What advice would she give people interested in starting to row? “Give yourself time. Rowing comes easy to the lucky ones, but most of us struggle at first and think about quitting. I was badgered by coaches for two or three years about my technique. Once, in a regatta, I crabbed 3 times on the way to the start and 3 more during the race.” (Note: crabbing is when you get your oar stuck in the water at the end of the stroke.)

Andrea M. joined ROCCREW six years ago after stopping at our information table at the Wilmont Cancer Walk. She keeps coming back because of the constant inspiration and empowerment she draws from the crew both in and out of the boats and says she is forever grateful for the amazing people in this group. Her goal is to be a part of the crew that rows at the Head of the Charles regatta in Boston.

When not on the water, Andrea’s favorite place is anywhere outdoors with hiking, animals and friends. That perfectly matches her hobbies: horse lessons, gardening, biking, kayaking, studying Spanish (okay- not exactly an outdoors hobby), and being with family whenever possible. She credits her mom as her inspiration and hero, but for those who know Andrea her own positive attitude and friendly nature makes her an inspiration to others as well!. She has previously lived in Japan and Hawaii. How exciting!

What advice would she give to people interested in starting to row? “Come observe, participate, talk, stand on (the) sidelines, jump right into it. We’re all dying to meet you in whatever manner you are comfortable! Rowing itself never becomes easy, but it’s a challenge that’s fun, and the friendships you’ll make are worth it all.”

Rowers and Friends- Mark your Calendars! Some fun adventures are on the horizon!!!

July 25th- Survivor Night at the Red Wings

August 5th- start of Fall Rowing Session

August 17th- our annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser at Lima Country Club

September 30th- start of Fall Optional Session

October 10th- Wilmont Survivor Symposium (We will be representing with a speaker slot.)

October 11th- Head of the Genesee Regatta

October 16-19th- Head of the Charles Regatta

Our dedicated committee chairs:

Programming: Kathy Willison and Lisa Gresens

Social: Jen Nicoletti

Regattas: Michele Bessette

Prospective Rower Contact: Janice Tuschong

Social Media: Laurie Vandermeid

Apparel: Laurie Vandermeid

Marketing: Sue Stoev

Stay in touch with us!!!!

facebook ROC Crew Naiades Rowing Over Cancer

website ROCCREW.com

instagram roccrew.rowing.over.cancer

email at info@roccrew.com

USPS. PO Box 22661, Rochester, NY 14692