EAST HARTFORD, Conn. — Credit union people will do a lot of things to live up to the people-helping-people philosophy — shave their heads, have pies thrown at them, you name it — but one CU director literally put his life on the line.
American Eagle FCU Board Member Ray Gandy swam across the English Channel to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. That's a 21-mile journey through the intensely cold, jellyfish-ridden waters separating Dover, England and Cap Griz Nez, France. That's 13 hours and 34 minutes of swimming — no wetsuits allowed, mind you — through some of the busiest shipping lanes in the seas.
Armed with only his bathing suit, swim cap, ear plugs, nose plugs, goggles, sunscreen, zinc oxide, Vaseline and glow sticks, Gandy was shadowed by his crew in a boat, who were on hand to provide him with food and guidance. But he was also armed with inspiration: his wife Donna was diagnosed with leukemia in 1992.
CUJ: Credit unions are known for their people-helping-people philosophy-how did AEFCU support you in your quest to swim the English Channel and raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society?
Gandy: AEFCU is an extended family to me. Management and the board communicate frequently regarding business, member and at times, personal issues. It wasn't long before management and the board knew of my quest to swim the English Channel and raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). Members, management and the board expressed their support a variety of ways. Expressions of encouragement came in the way of cards, e-mails and financial contributions. In addition, a substantial donation by the board (in my honor) was made to the LLS.
CUJ: There are a lot of ways to raise money-why did you choose to swim the English Channel?
Gandy: Swimming the channel and raising money for the LLS became a combination of things I care greatly about. I always look for ways to give back to those who helped my wife and our family through her struggles with leukemia and the long recovery after. Her strength and resolve have been inspirational to myself, our daughter and many others. Swimming the English Channel was an evolutionary process. I swam competitively from age 7 through college. After college, I concentrated on my career and family. I got back into a pool 18 years later and swam in my first Master's swim meet. Soon, I was swimming in open water events and the distances and times of the swims got longer and longer. The English Channel is the ultimate open-water swimming event-it is unpredictable and has proven itself as the "Mt. Everest of Open Water Swimming." Combining the ultimate physical and mental challenges of swimming the channel and raising money to help others with leukemia was a "double win" in my eyes.
CUJ: You have a swimming background and have completed other long-distance swims-how was this one different or special, and how did you prepare for this?
Gandy: The English Channel is the Mecca that draws open water swimmers from all over the world. There are only about 50 or so successful swims each year and I turned out to be the 1035th to successfully swim it since Capt. Matthew Webb was the first in 1875. The challenges come from the strong tides, jellyfish, cold water and the very busy shipping lanes-approximately 400 ships pass through the channel each day! I prepared by swimming 30 to 40 miles each week for 40 weeks. I also purposely gained 30 pounds, swam in cold water, took cold showers and bathed in ice baths to try to acclimate to the cold-water conditions. In addition, I swam at night with dark goggles to try to simulate nighttime conditions, in which I knew I would be swimming.
CUJ: What was the toughest moment and best moment? What kept you going?
Gandy: The toughest moment was deciding to abandon my attempt at a double crossing and putting all my energies into a successful one-way crossing. I had lost a lot of energy and had taken in a lot of seawater. By the eighth hour, I was nearing physical and emotional exhaustion, I needed to give it all I had to complete the one-way...the next 6 hours were a complete test of body and mind. The best part was when my friend, Russ and my daughter, Jessica were allowed to complete the finish with me. Due to the rules, I had to finish first, so they stayed behind me. Jessica got there a minute or so behind me and we had the ultimate father/daughter moment as we lay on the French beach embraced in each other's arms. It was a very emotional moment and one that we will never forget!
CUJ: What did you learn from this?
Gandy: I learned many things. First, that the journey became the reward-folks from all over supported me and the cause. Many stories, and tears were shared - the relationships forged and the bonds made, will last forever. Secondly, a successful crossing of the channel is a team sport - the organization (Channel Swimming and Pilot Federation), the boat (SUVA), the pilots (Neil Streeter, Adrian Piddock), the observers (Laura Austin, Mathew Beech), my crew (Russ Albert, Louis D'Alise, Jessica Gandy), communicators (Russ and Frank McQuiggan) and all the supporters during my training and during the swim, were absolutely vital to completing this successfully. Finally, I learned that all hugs are not created equal-the one shared on that French beach with my daughter, was from the depths of our souls and included all those who had helped throughout the years and especially for this particular event and purpose.
CUJ: What's next?
Gandy: I know that I am just beginning in so many ways. I will continue to look for ways to test my mental and physical being through swimming-and I will continue to grow by sharing my story and hearing others as I go along my path. The very next step will be this weekend as I am hosting a swim on Sunday, Sept. 27 at Johnson's Pond in my hometown of Coventry, RI that will benefit the LLS. There is no doubt that I have every intention to return to Dover, UK and take on the channel again for the double crossing that I originally set out to do....this time I will have some experience on my side!
