Cancer Survivor To Be Honored by Humana During National Senior Games (VIDEO)

One local resident is being honored for overcoming significant health issues through swimming.

Kate Fisken, who happens to be 75-years-old, is preparing to compete in Humana’s 2017 National Senior Games in Birmingham Alabama.

She will join more than 10,000 adults over the age of 50 but for Kate, the real victory, is overcoming a devastating diagnosis she said.

“This past February, I was diagnosed with uterine cancer,” Kate said. “It is a shocking diagnosis and you just don’t know what to do.”

Kate said the competition in Birmingham is what inspired her to get through uterine cancer treatment but this isn’t the first time she’s had  to overcome a significant health issue.

“I broke my back in 2004 and I made my way back to a healthy back through swimming,” she said.

Her physical therapist used swimming as an alternative for back surgery. When she first started, Kate could barely make it through her workout.

“When I first started out after my back problem , I swam maybe two laps then the next time I swam three and then the next time I swam ten,” Kate said.

While physical therapy allowed her to get her feet wet, she said she needed something more. Kate set a new goal to participate in the Great Chesapeake Bay Swim.  To train for the state-wide competition, she joined U.S. Masters Swimming at the Kennedy Shriver Aquatic Center in Rockville which has allowed her the opportunity to compete nationally.

Because of her determination and road to recovery, Kate will be honored as Humana’s 2017 Game Changer.  The award is given to an athlete who exemplifies healthy aging and inspiration for seniors.

“The Humana Award is something I am profoundly humbled and gratified that I got it. I was chosen out of 10,000 athletes,” she said.

Kate’s first game is set for the first week in June and because she lost six weeks of training due to her cancer treatment, she said her goal is to just swim through it all.

In 2 weeks, Kate Fisken who happens to be 75, will compete in the National Senior Games with 10,000 adults over the age of 50 @mymcmedia pic.twitter.com/TsBvuG9gtT

— Mitti Hicks (@MittiMegan) May 23, 2017

Fisken has been selected as this year’s Humana Game Changer athlete which is given to someone who exemplifies healthy aging @mymcmedia pic.twitter.com/4hcbv2QiuO

— Mitti Hicks (@MittiMegan) May 23, 2017

About Mitti Hicks

Mitti Hicks is a multimedia journalist and community engagement specialist with Montgomery Community Media. She is passionate about telling stories that impact our community and may be reached at MHicks@mymcmedia.org and on Twitter @mittimegan.

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