FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. — One woman's mission to help children with a debilitating disease will take her into the open ocean for more than a week.
On Monday, Fernandina Beach's Michele Holbrook will begin rowing with four other people nonstop from Miami Back to Fernandina Beach to raise money and awareness for the Children's Tumor Foundation.
The rowing is arduous, but she's used to battling through physical pain.
"I came out of surgery seven weeks ago, I had a tumor removed on my left leg," said Holbrook. "Last year I broke my wrist and I had to have major surgery, I had to have spinal surgery."
Holbrook lives with neurofibromatosis, which is a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow in the nervous system or other parts of the body.
Holbrook has dozens of tumors growing in her body and currently there is no cure.
"One of the things that really pushes me is seeing all of these children that have NF and that are struggling every single day of their lives," said Holbrook.
The boat that the crew of five will row 360 consecutive miles over a week is called Courageous, a fitting name for this challenge.
"When you see these children that have to live with this rare genetic disease every single day of their life and struggle with brain tumors, having to have their legs amputated, that encourages me," said Holbrook.
Encouragement that grew after meeting children currently in the fight against neurofibromatosis.
"These children fight every single day of their lives, so that gives me the strength to press forward," says Holbrook, "this is to be a good adventure."
Holbrook hopes to complete the 360-mile row in one week and invites the community to welcome the boat back. They plan to row nonstop through the night, 24/7 and target Sunday, July 21 or Monday, July 22 for their arrival in Fernandina Beach.
Neurofibromatosis affects one in every 2,000 births. More information about the Children's Tumor Foundation can be found here.
Track Holbrook's progress here.
