'I never gave myself the option to quit': London swimmer crosses Lake Ontario to help save lives
Jillian Best was back on dry land Thursday, but she still hadn’t come down from the high of what she accomplished on the water.
“Positively overwhelmed with the support and the love that has come my way,” said the marathon swimmer and organ transplant recipent.
After setting out at 11 p.m. Tuesday from Niagara, the 34-year-old reached Marilyn Bell Park in Toronto just before six o'clock Wednesday evening, swimming 52 kilometres across Lake Ontario.
She told media and the crowd of supporters she never had any doubts. “I never gave myself the option to quit. I told myself I wasn't going to stop for any reason of my own, but everybody helping me along the way was really helpful.”
On the boat, but at her side every stroke of the way, was her husband Zack Best.
“It was amazing. I’m proud to be there, and proud of her. It was a great camaraderie we had with all 13 people on the boat. Everybody contributed, and it was an amazing experience.”
Best made the swim to raise money for her foundation, ‘Move for Life,’ which is dedicated to reducing the wait list for organ transplants.
Her mother is a two-time liver transplant survivor, and she herself had a liver transplant in 2015. She said not only did having a transplant make her a better person, but it also gave her the mental toughness to complete her marathon swim.
“There were some struggles and moments when I thought I may not survive, but I overcame that. Obviously not alone, I needed a transplant to do that, but...I know that I’ve gone through rough times for much longer than 18 hours. And so I kept that in mind. It was just one day.”
The swim has so far raised nearly $130,000 between sponsors and an online crowd-funding campaign. All funds will go towards the purchase of new equipment for the London Health Sciences Centre Multi-transplant Organ Unit.
“I’ve seen it where people don’t make it to have the transplant,” said Best. “They die while they’re waiting because there’s such a shortage. So my passion is towards finding a way to reduce the waits for transplants, so that every one in need of an organ transplant can receive one.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
NEW Life got in the way of one woman's reunion with her father, but a DNA test gained her a family
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
Quebec Health Department reports 28 cases of eye damage linked to solar eclipse
Quebec's Health Department says it has received 28 reports of eye damage related to the April 8 total solar eclipse that passed over southern parts of the province.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.