Andover Mother and Son Unite to Fight Breast Cancer

By Gabrielle Shishkoff.

Eighteen-year-old recent high school graduate Kyle Murphy and his mother Nancy, both Andover residents, once again participated in the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition’s (MBCC) 21st   annual statewide Against the Tide Event in Hopkinton on June 22nd, and plan to attend the second event in Brewster on August 17th.   For the past six years, both Kyle and his mother Nancy have participated in various aspects of the Against the Tide event, which has the option to kayak, swim, walk, or run.  As a competitive swimmer on North Andover’s YMCA Hurricane’s swim team, Kyle competes in the 1-mile competitive swim, while Nancy prefers to participate in the 3-mile walk.

            Kyle first became motivated to help fight the breast cancer epidemic at age 12, when a friend’s mother was diagnosed with the disease. The talented young swimmer signed up for Against the Tide’s competitive 1-mile swim, and has participated in it every year since.  “In the past I have enjoyed participating in the competitive swim at Against the Tide, and I’m excited about participating again this year,” says Kyle. Kyle also competes on his high school swim team at St. John’s Prep, a team that has won state championships for 8 years in the Catholic conference. As an individual, Kyle was named a Catholic conference all-star last year, and qualified for the state level competition this year.  

            Nancy also became involved in Against the Tide, in part because of Kyle’s involvement but also because she herself has family members who have been affected by breast cancer, including her aunt. For the past 5 years, Nancy has joined Kyle in raising money for and participating in the Against the Tide events.  This year Kyle will also be joined by his sister Caitlin, who plans to participate in the run. “It has been an honor and pleasure knowing Kyle and Nancy Murphy throughout the years as I have observed their passion and dedication in the MBCC goal towards breast cancer prevention. Their support and generosity serves as a model for mothers and future generations,” said Cheryl Osimo, Executive Director of MBCC, of the mother and son pair.

MBCC is a grassroots advocacy organization that supports research that searches for links between breast cancer and environmental causes.  It focuses on breast cancer prevention, rather than treatment.

The Against the Tide event includes a 1-mile recreational or competitive swim, 2-mile kayak, 3-mile fitness walk, and 5K and 10K recreational or competitive run, all of which benefit MBCC.  In 2012, the Aquathlon, a competitive or recreational 1-mile swim and either the 5K or 10K run, was added. 

MBCC is asking all Massachusetts residents to consider participating in this year’s second Against the Tide event, which takes place at DCR’s Nickerson State Park, in Brewster on August 17.

Kyle, his teammates, and his family have created a team for the Against the Tide event. People may join his team by first registering for Against the Tide at www.mbcc.org/swim and then selecting to join “St. John’s Prep,” or form their own team instead.  For those who do not wish to participate but would like to support this worthy cause may make a pledge to the team by visiting www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/kyle-murphy-2/.