“Why do you swim?”
Many people may respond to this question with answers about themselves; how much they love the water or the health benefits they feel from swimming. But, in May, Ana Zieglmeier’s answer to “Why do you swim?” had nothing to do with her and everything to do with individuals battling cancer.
Earlier, this year, Ana stumbled upon a Facebook group put together by the National Cancer Society that challenged participants to swim 5 miles and raise $250 towards cancer research in the month of May. Ana, like many, has been personally affected by cancer with her mom, aunt, half-sister, and grandmother all battling cancer at different points in their lives. This was enough motivation for Ana to accept the challenge and swim for cancer research.
When the calendar turned to May, Ana brought her children to the Y, dropped them off in Kid Zone, and jumped in the pool. Ana shared this message with other moms, “Join a gym with child care to give yourself that hour or two. Usually, when you take that break, you will find what YOU want to do. The path kind of lights up in front of you.”
Ana started off by swimming 800 yards per day and working her way up to over 1,800 yards in an hour. You’ll know it’s her in the pool by her purple swimsuit and purple swim cap. As she went, she shared updates with her Facebook friends and others in the cancer research group, collecting both online and cash donations. Despite having to take a full week off taking care of a sick kid, Ana reached her $250 goal and 5-mile goal with a week and a half to spare. But she didn’t stop to celebrate just yet. By the end of the month, Ana had eclipsed 6 miles swam, and had raised a total of $301 towards cancer research!
When Ana was asked about completing this amazing feat at the YMCA she said, “…caring about how other people are doing and wanting to help other people. That’s what I love about both the fundraiser and coming to the Y.” Ana and her family are a perfect example of what makes the YMCA and its members so special to the St. Cloud Area. Ana said, “I wanted my kids to be around people that didn’t necessarily look like them and to find the humanity in them.” “Everybody’s just here to do the same thing; to take a minute to themselves or to workout or to feel better about themselves. I think it’s important that as many people as can, should join [the Y].”
Ana has plans to do more fundraisers in the future, but for now, she will enjoy her time gliding through the pool in all purple and writing poetry in the YMCA lobby.
Practicing a healthy lifestyle can feel great when you do it for yourself but it can feel even better when you do it for others.