Sisters Row for Cancer Program After Both Beat Breast Cancer

Julia and Britney Fearing never imagined they'd both become breast cancer survivors, but this Saturday they'll turn their shared battle into hope for others.

The sisters are leading competing teams at the Million Meter Row Challenge, where more than 80 teams of five will row their way to one million total meters on rowing machines. Every dollar raised supports the CAPABLE program, a free 12-week fitness study that helps cancer patients regain their strength through CrossFit training.

Julia was diagnosed with stage 2 triple-negative breast cancer in 2017. She endured 16 rounds of chemotherapy and a double mastectomy, with Britney by her side every step of the way.

"To see my sister in the hospital, just trying to fight through, I knew that I had to be strong and to be a supporter," Britney said. She rowed in the 2023 challenge as Julia's teammate and supporter.

Then in January 2024, the roles reversed. Britney was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer, and Julia became the guide through the journey she knew too well.

"I'm like a translator," Julia said. "This is what's about to happen, and this is how you're going to kind of feel."

Now both survivors, the sisters have added a playful twist to this year's event. Julia leads Team Social Butterfly Detroit while Britney captains BB Motions, turning their shared experience into friendly competition about who can build the bigger team.

The Ripple Effect

The CAPABLE program stands for Cross-Training and Physical Activity: A Better Life Experience. Participants meet three times a week with a coach who modifies every movement to fit their needs, completely free of charge.

"We hope this study goes so far that physical activity becomes a prescription for people," said Julie Barnes Maurer, a CAPABLE coach and project coordinator. The program helped her process her own child's cancer diagnosis years ago through the power of movement and community.

For Julia, CAPABLE has been life-changing. "It's a phenomenal program to regain your strength and help you mentally," she said.

The Million Meter Row aims to raise $100,000 to expand the program to more gyms across Metro Detroit. That means more cancer patients will get free access to strength training, community support, and the feeling of being capable again when everything else feels out of control.

Participants don't need to be experienced athletes, and both team entries and individual donations are welcome. The challenge happens May 9 at CrossFit in the D, where a community will come together to prove that cancer may take a lot, but it can't take away the power of people rowing in the same direction.