PEORIA, Ill. – Cancer Recovery Empowering Women…that’s the mission of Peoria’s Crew 309.
The rowing crew has 75 members who train year-round on land and on the Illinois River.
Co-founder Lindsey Vlaminck tells WMBD’s “Greg and Dan” that most of the team are breast cancer survivors.
“The only caveat to that is that we also welcome previvors, which is somebody that has a genetic mutation. They have to have some sort of preventive treatment,” Vlaminck says.
Lindsey founded Crew 309 in 2017 with Kassie Williams, inspired by a similar rowing program in Chicago.
Several years later, Crew 309 became independent and a 501c3 non-profit organization with a focus on creating a support system for breast cancer survivors in Central Illinois.
Vlaminck says Crew 309 was created because exercise reduces cancer recurrence and development.
The crew trains indoors year-round on Water Street in Peoria, and on the water of the Illinois River when weather permits.
“Those that do want to row on the water, we divide them into what we call a novice crew and a masters crew. So, novice means it’s their first year on the water…they’re learning, so we have a bit of a different practice plan for somebody that’s new versus someone that has rowed for a few seasons,” Vlaminck says.
Crew 309 membership is open to all Central Illinois women with a history of breast cancer…and those with a high-risk genetic mutation, or “previvors”.
Crew 309 is depicted in a huge mural at 401 Water Street in Peoria…created by local drone artist Chris LaCrone.
To learn more about Crew 309, click HERE.
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