Nashua Native Seeks To Raise $500K For Special Cancer Research

From River of Life: Carolyn Choate, 59, of Nashua, will seek to raise the remaining $500K of a $2.5M special cancer research fund by kayaking from Nashua to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Named for world-renowned University of Maryland School of Medicine pharmacologist, Dr. Angela Brodie, Carolyn credits Brodie with saving her life through the discovery of a new class of drugs to treat estrogen-positive breast cancer.

The summer-long event begins Saturday, May 13 from 10 am – noon at Nashua’s Mill Yard on Technology Way, as Carolyn will paddle the ceremonial first leg of her epic River of Life journey with professional paddler, Diane Carson, co-owner of Nashoba Paddler, and recently diagnosed with early-stage estrogen-positive breast cancer.

The public is invited and a celebration of women and women’s health will be the main focus. “It was more than ironic when Carolyn called in February to introduce herself and the fundraiser just a week after my surgery”, said Diane. “In an instant I just knew this was something I needed to do for me and wanted to do for others.”

Diane, 57, a resident of Groton, has owned Nashoba Paddler with her husband since 2009, a canoe and kayak outfitter that specializes in ecological, educational, and leisure travel adventure along the Nashua River for all ages. This year the company is celebrating its 25 th anniversary and registration is already significant for their popular summer camp program for children. Diane estimates that thousands of paddlers will enjoy Nashoba’s boat rental and local waterway touring programs throughout the summer and early autumn months.

Thankfully, she will complete radiation in time to greet the season but she admits she was in complete shock when diagnosed with breast cancer in late December 2016.

“I’ve been extremely health conscious my entire life,” said Diane, “it just goes to show you that it can happen to anyone.”

Diane credits an annual mammogram for catching her cancer in an early stage and said it was a reminder as to just how important mammograms continue to be in the fight against mortality to the disease. “I definitely feel extraordinarily lucky to live in an area locally here where we have access to great facilities, diagnostics, and treatment.”

Hailing from a family of female scientists – both her mother and sister are geologists, she a biologist – Diane maintains that research is ever crucial in offering humanity the opportunity for a better life. “All areas of research need support, of course, but getting to know Carolyn and what’s she’s been through physically and emotionally with invasive breast cancer, she’s such an inspiration,” said Diane “I’m only happy to help her launch this amazing and historic journey for women everywhere.” Nashoba Paddle is donating a season pass for two – kayak or canoe – as part of the May 13 festivities, valued at $350. With offices in Groton, the company employs up to 20 people seasonally and serves over 80 campers ages 6 to 17.

Carolyn says her coincidental meeting with Diane isn’t so coincidental. “On any given day I probably meet at least three women who have had breast cancer and a majority of them have had estrogen positive breast cancer” said Carolyn. “Thanks to Dr. Brodie and the anti-estrogen drug she developed, millions of us are alive today.” “Like Diane, I have daughters and the question that gnaws at us is, ‘now that Dr. Brodie is retiring, who’s going to do the research for the next generation? – for our daughters and grandchildren?’” Carolyn will kayak solo throughout the region with her River of Life program until her older daughter, Sydney, 27, returns from a 2 ½ year assignment working for the Saudi government. Together they will enter the Delaware River August 10 in Port Jervis, NY, in a donated tandem inflatable SeaEagle kayak. Paddling some 180 miles in Class 2 and 3 rapids on the Upper/Middle Delaware and through such hazardous straits as the shipping lanes from Trenton, NJ, to through Philadelphia, PA, and on to the C & D Canal with assistance from the Philadelphia Coast Guard.

Once in the Chesapeake, they will paddle to a crowd of supporters to her birthplace of Havre de Grace, Maryland, where a gathering of family and friends will greet the duo. In addition, Carolyn will present a check to UM Upper Chesapeake Hospital officials in honor of Carolyn’s cousin, Anne Hellmann, RN, a long-time employee and community health advocate at the hospital who lost her own battle with cancer in 2012. Finally, Carolyn and her daughter will enter Baltimore’s Inner Harbor escorted by a regatta of paddlers in celebration of their achievement and in honor of Dr. Brodie, just a stone’s throw from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Carolyn was diagnosed with Stage 3b estrogen positive breast cancer in 2003 at age 45, right in the middle of a full life revolving around her husband and two young daughters, 12 and 9, and a successful career as a local television personality in New Hampshire. Despite regular mammograms, she was the one who discovered the abnormality in her right breast. Her surgeon gave her three years to live. Now, 14 years past her original prognosis – including two mastectomies – Carolyn credits her long-term follow-up with the aromatase inhibitor that Dr. Brodie discovered here in West Baltimore, with the gift of life and the opportunity to reach fellow women.

The University of Maryland School of Medicine will host the River of Life Adventure Hub at www.medschool.umaryland.edu/Ri... , an online resource for donations, daily tracking of Carolyn’s progress, video messages related to breast cancer and women’s health, downloadable resources, information on Dr. Brodie and her life as a female research scientist, Carolyn’s full story, a message board for well-wishers, and an up-to- date accounting of Carolyn’s fundraising progress.

Carolyn’s story represents one of the most daunting women’s health issues today and reflects a universal fear for many women. Despite location, socioeconomic status, education, or any other factor, Carolyn’s is a story that women nationwide relate to. Through her tenacity and sense of adventure, she has raised money and awareness of the need to fund breast cancer research by hiking solo across Santorini, Greece and most recently from Copenhagen to Lejre, Denmark where she was met by supporters and the Danish Breast Cancer Organization. Her reach and mission were so universal she was able to help underwrite patient services for low-income women in Denmark.

Wherever she goes, Carolyn draws a crowd. In fact, she plans on it, and her tribute to Dr. Brodie will be no exception. For more information: Carolyn Choate, 603-533- 4984.

Image Via Pixabay