Posted: Mon, 28 Jun 2010 06:18 PM - 11,878 Readers

By: Jessica Vess

The fight against cancer takes a unique turn Monday morning with a challenge that puts participants into Lake Austin.
 
The challenge begins at Mansfield Dam on Lake Austin. The group is paddling across the lake to Tom Miller Dam, roughly 21 miles.


 
It's more than just getting in and paddling. The group will be on boards, paddling while standing-up.
 
They are raising money for the Lance Armstrong cancer foundation, Livestrong. The goal is raise $50,000 for the Llivestrong campaign.
 
The organizers behind “Dam that Cancer” know the challenges and the fight it takes to beat cancer.
 
“Cancer doesn't just affect those (who) get it. It affects those (who) are surrounded by that person; family, friends,” said organizer, Rob McKinnie, “You start to see how it affects everybody, being touched by that and getting everybody involved with that, it's important to us.”
 
McKinnie is a cancer survivor. Monday marks his birthday and also the day of his last chemotherapy treatment.
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He organized “Dam that Cancer” with a friend, Mark Garza. Doctors diagnosed Garza’s father with stage 4 prostate cancer.
 
This is the first year for the two to organize and create a challenge. The paddle will end with a three hour fundraising event at Abel’s on The Lake from 4:00pm-7:00pm Monday night.