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Haematologist swims oceans to make a difference

Haematologist Orly Lavee will be taking on a 2km ocean swim and 10km coastal run in the Sydney Morning Herald 2018 Sun Run Cole Classic from February 3-4 to help raise awareness and funds for the Leukaemia Foundation.

One of the oldest sporting events in Australia, the Sun Run Cole Classic has taken part on the first weekend of February for 35 years. Originally started by Graham Cole and still run in his memory the event added fundraising in 2008 and aims to raise more than $200,000 for charity this year.

Orly, a haematologist at St Vincent’s Hospital who has been working as a consultant at the Kinghorn Cancer Centre for two years, took up ocean swimming just before she had her first child in 2011 and has always loved running.

“When I heard about the opportunity to fundraise for the Leukaemia Foundation by participating in the Cole Classic I realised I could combine all three passions into one,” she said.

As a specialist doctor at one of Sydney’s foremost cancer centres Orly is able to play a privileged role in people’s treatment and has come to understand the role and importance of the Leukaemia Foundation, but rarely does she get to translate this experience into something so fun.

“This is my chance to rally everyone together, and really get behind a cause I know first-hand is so worthy and that I’m involved with on a day to day basis,” she said.

She aims to raise $700 for people living with blood cancer and is excited to “really make an impact on a greater scale”.

There is still time to sign up and join the Leukaemia Foundation Team. With a 1km, 2km and 5km swim as well as a 7km and 10km run and even an Aquathlon – the Sun Run Cole Classic has something for everything.