The Brewer Pool played host Saturday to OlymPINK Masters Challenge, raising funds for the Ottawa Cancer Foundation.
Event co-founder Andrea Douglas, a breast cancer survivor, emphasized the importance of the foundation’s Community Cancer Hub, offering free programs for cancer patients.
This year’s event marks the final chapter of the OlymPINK Masters Challenge, with $134,549 raised, bringing the total funds raised over the years to more than $400,000.
Amanda Gray’s sister, Maila Gray, paused with Andrea Douglas, reflecting on a photo of the late Amanda, her smile lighting up past events. Amanda Gray lost her battle to cancer last year, just shy of her 40th birthday.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
Olympic swimmer Maggie Mac Neil prepared to dive in, confidently taking on the competition as masters swimmers gave their all in a team relay, but were ultimately unable to outpace her in the pool.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia Amanda Gray’s sister, Maila Gray, gave Olympian Maggie Mac Neil a great big hug after she presented her with a gift Saturday.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia Saturday’s event was held in honour of Amanda Gray who lost her cancer battle just shy of her 40th birthday in 2024.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia Swimmers and cancer survivors gathered at Brewer Pool Saturday, April 5, 2025, for the OlymPINK Masters Challenge, raising $134,549 in support of the Ottawa Cancer Foundation.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia The OlymPINK Masters Challenge hosted its final event at Brewer Pool on Saturday, bringing the total funds raised to over $400,000 since its inception.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia The OlymPINK Masters Challenge hosted its final event at Brewer Pool on Saturday, bringing the total funds raised to over $400,000 since its inception.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia Timers, some of the 50 volunteers it took to put on Saturday’s fundraising event.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia “We lost our my mother in law and breast cancer, and that’s why this matters to us,” said Andrea Smith, co-founder of the event, and a 1996 Olympian who runs the B-TRAiN Masters Swim Club. “I just watched my kids grow up without their nanny.”Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia “Today is all about supporting all the cancer patients in the Ottawa area,” said Andrea Douglas, co-founder of OlymPINK.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia Swimmers and cancer survivors gathered at Brewer Pool Saturday, April 5, 2025, for the OlymPINK Masters Challenge, raising $134,549 in support of the Ottawa Cancer Foundation. This final event brings the total funds raised to over $400,000, celebrating life, community, and the ongoing fight against breast cancer.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia Former Olympians Maggie Mac Neil and Annamay Pierse Oldershaw, chat together during the meet Saturday.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia “We’re going to take a moment to to pay tribute to one of our survivor swimmers from 2013 Amanda Gray, who sadly lost her cancer to breast her battle to breast cancer last spring, just shy of her 40th birthday,” said Andrea Douglas.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia Olympian Maggie Mac Neil’s Olympic ring tattoo on her hip, partially hidden by her cap and goggles that were tucked into the edge of her suit.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia There was pops of pinks speckled all through out the stands and around the pool at Brewer Pool Saturday.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia Olympic swimmer Maggie Mac Neil prepared to dive in, confidently taking on the competition as masters swimmers gave their all in a team relay, but were ultimately unable to outpace her in the pool.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia This final event brings the total funds raised to over $400,000, celebrating life, community, and the ongoing fight against breast cancer.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia Olympic swimmer Maggie Mac Neil was warmly greeted by her competition after triumphing in the races, as the relay teams bravely challenged her.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia Olympic swimmer Maggie Mac Neil was photographed with the teams Saturday afternoon.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia “I am beyond excited for today,” said Andrea Douglas, cancer survivor and co-founder of OlymPink. “It’s going to be really emotional, part of me doesn’t really want it to be over.”Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia “I’m not looking at competing in masters any time soon, but maybe this will get the itch started,” said Maggie Mac Neil. “I’m excited to be in my first masters environment.”Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia This final event brings the total funds raised to over $400,000, celebrating life, community, and the ongoing fight against breast cancer.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia “I’m really excited to be here, but I know this year is more about the Ottawa Cancer Foundation,” said Maggie Mac Neil.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia Swimmers lined up on the blocks before diving in for the important cause.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia Swimmers and cancer survivors gathered at Brewer Pool Saturday, April 5, 2025, for the OlymPINK Masters Challenge, raising $134,549 in support of the Ottawa Cancer Foundation.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia Retired Olympic swimmer Annamay Pierse Oldershaw took part in the fundraising event with her four kids.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia Supporters filled the stands cheering on swimmers Saturday afternoon.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia Olympic swimmer Maggie Mac Neil prepared to dive in, confidently taking on the competition as masters swimmers gave their all in a team relay, but were ultimately unable to outpace her in the pool.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia Olympic swimmer Maggie Mac Neil was warmly greeted by her competition after triumphing in the races, as the relay teams bravely challenged her.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia Swimmers and cancer survivors gathered at Brewer Pool Saturday, April 5, 2025, for the OlymPINK Masters Challenge, raising $134,549 in support of the Ottawa Cancer Foundation.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia “The Stupid Champion” awards went to those who took part in all the events Saturday.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia This final event brings the total funds raised to over $400,000, celebrating life, community, and the ongoing fight against breast cancer.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia This final event brings the total funds raised to over $400,000, celebrating life, community, and the ongoing fight against breast cancer.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
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