Raising awareness, saving lives

Judy Swasey, a nurse practitioner in UNC’s Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, is known as “Coach Judy” outside the walls of her workplace.

Swasey earned this title 10 years ago when she created the Sole Sisters, a beginners’ exercise group that prepares participants for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Raleigh each June.

The group now has about 100 people and encourages breast cancer survivors and other women to develop good diet and fitness habits while raising money for breast cancer research.

“She’s definitely the leader of the team,” said Susan Palmer, a nine-year breast cancer survivor and seven-year member of Sole Sisters. “She is very supportive and encouraging — not pushing — but encouraging you to do more than you think you can.”

Swasey and other group leaders provide encouragement and advice for a diverse set of women who are united by their interest in promoting breast cancer research and have in some way been affected by the disease.

Cecilia Minden, another runner in the program, said Swasey inspired her to get back into walking after her cancer treatment made changing the channel on a TV remote a daunting task.

“She really is the soul of Sole Sisters. She organized it and is there every Tuesday — even after working a horrific schedule at the hospital,” Minden said.

Swasey’s work at UNC and her personal interest in exercise, especially running, inspired her to introduce the program in 2000.

Since then, more than 900 women have walked or have run in the Komen race after three months of training with the Sole Sisters. And although the program is open to all women, Swasey said nearly 15 percent of the group members each year are breast cancer survivors.

“Several participants who have breast cancer have, over the years, commented to me that what they liked most about Sole Sisters was that it made them feel normal again,” she said.

 “They liked being just part of the group and not being someone with breast cancer,” Swasey said.

This June, more than 100 women participated in the Komen N.C. Triangle Race for the Cure in Raleigh with the Sole Sisters, Minden said.

In addition to exercising more often and eating healthier, Palmer said Sole Sisters has allowed her to gain a group of friends that she still keeps in touch with.

“I have formed friendships with people that I might never have met in any other thing I do in my life,” she said. “We’re all somehow tangentially involved in Sole Sisters through breast cancer, but the women are from all walks of life and all have different interests.”

Though Swasey acknowledges that working with cancer patients can prove difficult and painful at times, she believes that the personal satisfaction far outweighs the negative moments.

“I stand at the finish line, and when they are done with their race, it’s kind of like watching your kids graduate from high school or college,” she said. “It’s very satisfying to see them be successful and really feel good about their accomplishment.”



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