Brave swimmers freeze to fight cancer

Twenty-five daring souls jumped into the freezing waters of Lake Milton to raise money to help fight cancer Mar. 6.

The American Cancer Society hosted its BRR For A Cure Event, which featured food, festivities and, of course, a polar bear plunge into the icy waters.

The event raised $9,065, according to LaDawn Whitman, a development coordinator with the Northeast Region of the American Cancer Society.

Plungers paid a registration fee to swim and then raised money individually to benefit the organization.

The event was inspired by the Portage Lakes Polar Bear Club, which holds a popular polar bear plunge and donates to the American Cancer Society. The club raised $45,000 this year during its 401-person plunge.

“We thought holding a plunge would be a nice way to mirror the Portage Polar Bear Club, which has been so successful,” Whitman said. “We see great potential for us to continue this.”