Standup Paddle helps "SUP Chick" Fight Breast Cancer

ENCINITAS, California - On Saturday May 5th over 700 people turned out to help raise money to fight and bring awareness to breast cancer at the Standup for the Cure clinic/paddleboard event in Newport Dunes, California.  One of the largest contributors at the event was a group of about 300 women known as the "SUP Chicks".  Their efforts to raise funds were very specific and personal because one of their own recently used SUP to help fight breast cancer.

Ruth Monahan-Smith, is a member of the "SUP Chicks" which is a fun, outgoing group of ladies who enjoy doing stand up paddle together and are based out of Southern California.  However, about a year ago after doing her annual mammogram, Ruth was called back with news that something had been found.  The doctors requested an ultra sound, followed by a biopsy but unfortunately cancer was diagnosed. 

Ruth began appointments and treatment immediately and ended up doing 4 rounds of chemotherapy.  She endured both a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery and is fortunately doing really well.  However, during that difficult time, stand up paddle was a retreat for Ruth and it really gave her something to look forward to.  In fact she paddled every day with the only exception being the days she received chemo treatments.  In her own words during a recent video interview she said, "Just thinking about going out on the water made me feel happier."  The paddling also served another purpose and ended up helping her physical recovery as well.  Both Ruth and the doctors feel that stand up paddle seemed to assist with regaining her range of motion and the overall healing process. 

It is no wonder then why Ruth and the SUP Chicks decided to work so hard to raise money and help others fight this cancer.  In fact, just this past Sunday, these leading ladies gathered together, all decked out in pink, to present a check for just over $10,000 to Judie Vivian, the brainchild of Standup for the Cure, as their contribution.  It was smiles all the way around with boards and paddles in hand.

As for Ruth, thank you for telling your inspirational story and for sharing what your courage and this wonderful sport of stand up paddle have helped you overcome.  Surely it will help others as well.

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