Rick Shalvoy battles the waters around Long Island every year, and wins his battle. But the greater war he fights is still not won. Since his first row in 1997, "Rick the Rower" has been circumnavigating the waters of Long Island with one mantra following him. Rick has vowed to "Row for a Cure" in the fight against breast cancer every year until a safe and effective therapy is discovered and available to patients. He is determined to raise money and awareness for the disease that afflicts one in eight women.

Rick Shalvoy is a lifelong Long Islander, a father of four and has 32 years behind him as a lifeguard. During his annual effort, he rows 12 hours a day, this year from July 24 through August 2, in a custom 19-foot wooden ocean dory, going the distance of 300 miles around Long Island. He hopes to raise a record $100,000 this year to support cancer research.

Mr. Shalvoy has lost several woman friends and family members to breast cancer, and it was one such loss that inspired him to invent the "Row for a Cure" in 1997. He has forged a great friendship with Glen Cove CARES (Cancer Awareness Resource and Education Source), and this year joins Glen Cove in mourning the loss of another friend, Terry Petikas. Of Ms. Petikas, Mr. Shalvoy has said, "Terry's powerful efforts have inspired thousands. Her efforts continue to touch those she has never met. In this first year without her unending encouragement, we pay tribute to our dear friend and vow to reach her everlasting vision."

Mr. Shalvoy made land in Glen Cove at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 26. After rowing through Glen Cove Creek, accompanied by the Glen Cove Harbor Patrol, he stopped at Steamboat Landing Restaurant to be greeted and cheered by old friends and new supporters. City Court Judge Joel Meirowitz has been a friend since 1969, when the two men were lifeguards at Jones Beach. At Steamboat Landing, a smiling and proud Judge Meirowitz remarked about his friend that "this man rows better now than I did in my prime." Indeed, Mr. Shalvoy is a fit man who turns 50 this year, and shows no sign of slowing down his efforts.

Also in attendance to cheer on Mr. Shalvoy was County Executive Thomas Suozzi, and Glen Cove Mayor Mary Ann Holzkamp, who presented Mr. Shalvoy with a citation from the City of Glen Cove. Ms. Holzkamp lost control of the microphone for a moment when Mr. Shalvoy reached over to comment on how much he loves Glen Cove and the people in the city. He has said on other occasions that no other municipality along the route of his effort greets him the way Glen Cove does.

When asked why he continues his endeavor year after year, he says, "No matter how tough it gets, I know that when it's over, I can take several days off to recover, and then I'll be fine. Cancer patients don't have that reassurance. I want them to have that same feeling; to know they'll be ok."

Rick Shalvoy brings optimism to these patients. Terry Petikas once reminded him that every time the oars dip into the water, another breast cancer survivor in the world continues to have hope.

This year's "Row for a Cure" is scheduled to finish up on August 2 at Robert Moses Field. Then Rick Shalvoy can start to prepare for next year.