Delaware Rowers Learn to "Fight Like Britt"

Ty Burns stood before the Delaware women's rowing team on a rainy Monday afternoon trying to stay composed while sharing the very personal story of his daughter Brittany. His voice quivered and his hands shook, but he persevered, recalling the fight of the young woman he had raised and who they lost much too soon. He acknowledged that this was his first time telling this story in front of a group; that he hoped he could muster the courage to finish.

Several threads connected the student-athletes in the room and Brittany Burns. Burns was a rower at Clemson University. She had been a swimmer throughout her life before wanting to pursue a team sport, not uncommon for many rowers, who transition to the sport during their collegiate years. Her dad, Ty, and his wife Cathy, live in Greenville, Delaware. She stood up for equal treatment of women's athletes, a fight that resonated with so many in the room.

Another fight Brittany dedicated herself to was the battle against ovarian cancer. On December 9, 2015, Burns was unexpectedly diagnosed with a rare form of the disease. She dedicated herself to creating an organization to help other women facing similar hardships before passing away on February 1, 2016. In just two months, Brittany set in motion the "Fight Like Britt" campaign, creating a legacy of generosity and goodwill. The goal is to reach one million people and educate them about the symptoms of ovarian cancer. The hope is to save the life of even just one young woman.

"The doctors were running this (test) and that, never thinking that it could have been (ovarian cancer)," Burns told the captivated room. "It never entered their minds because she's too young. She's only 24 years old. It's not going to happen … We thought everything was going to be OK."

As parents, there is nothing in the world you want more than for your children to be OK. The loss of Britt will never leave Ty, but in the spirit of how she lived her life, he and his family have dedicated themselves to helping others. They know if the outlook is going to change, it will be young women like Britt who make the push.

"The outlook for a breast cancer diagnosis changed when young women got involved," Burns said. "Young women, who were more open about it, who were willing to advocate for it … that is what changed the outlook of breast cancer today. That is why we all know about it and embrace (the cause). That's what we're doing (for ovarian cancer)."

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from all gynecologic cancers and the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in the United States. The symptoms of ovarian cancer include: swelling of the stomach, sudden weight gain or bloating, persistent pelvic pain or abdominal pain or pressure, trouble eating or feeling full quickly, the need to urinate urgently or often. If these symptoms persist daily for more than two weeks, talk to your physician about ovarian cancer.

Ty's message stuck with the Blue Hens. "You need to make sure that you protect yourself and look out for yourself," said Anna Haase. "Any signs or symptoms that you feel or see, ask your doctor and speak up for yourself. We need to be our own advocates."

This could have just been a tragic story of losing a child too soon to a horrible disease. But the Burns family is turning their pain into hope for others.

"I told the team (that) a parent just wants their kids to be well," said head coach Kevin Gruber. "He's honoring his daughter's spirit by trying to make sure a million people are well. That's a beautiful way to honor his daughter's spirit."

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