Published May 01, 2025 • 3 minute readSwimmers and kayaker’s from a previous year’s Big Swim show enthusiasm for the challenge, which aims to raise money for a Nova Scotia kids camp for children living with chronic illnesses. ContributedSUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. – Brigadoon Village has been an important part of Catherine Savoie’s life for a number of years. The Aylesford, N.S.-based organization caters to different kinds of camps for children with chronic illnesses, including Savoie’s twin sister. For three summers, from 2012 to 2014, she spent time at its Camp Braveheart – an overnight camp for children with heart conditions – before becoming a staff member herself. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle content“The way she could explain it was that everyone was the same,” said Savoie. “Everyone had a heart issue, everyone needed to take breaks, everyone was getting tired more quickly than other children.“So she didn’t have to explain that she would need breaks, that she could not run as far as everyone else. It was implied. Everyone had the same thing, everyone was going through the same struggles. You don’t feel like an outcast.” Read More Former Summerside resident to participate in Big Swim across Northumberland Strait Brigadoon Village expansion at Aylesford Lake, N.S., nearing completion After seeing how much of an impact it made on her sister, Savoie was inspired to volunteer, which she said meant everything to her. Her first time doing so was at a camp for children with juvenile arthritis, and over time, she watched the campers grow in confidence. As Savoie, who is from New Brunswick but is living in Summerside while she completes her family medicine residency, was also in medical school at the time, her stint as a volunteer informed the kind of doctor she wanted to be. Article content“I’ve seen the difference it makes for a child and for their family, and even for all the staff and volunteers that go there, just how magical and safe Brigadoon is for everyone,” said Savoie. “For me, I’ve always wanted to give back, for what they’ve done for my family, and for myself.” Catherine Savoie is a former competitive swimmer and volunteer at Brigadoon Village. This year, she’s excited to combine both her passions in the Big Swim – a journey across the Northumberland Strait to raise money for the Nova Scotia camp. ContributedHer passion for the camp is what has led her to participate in this year’s Big Swim – an organized swim across the Northumberland Strait from Cape Jourimain to Borden-Carleton, to raise money for Brigadoon Village. It’s one of three events put on by the organization GIVETOLIVE, aiming to inspire people to live healthy lives through fitness and achieving something extraordinary, as well as through generosity. About Brigadoon Village, a spokesperson for GIVETOLIVE said, “It’s such a magical place where kids with chronic health conditions get to be more than their diagnosis for the week, get the chance to be kids for the week and make friends and memories all while being medically supported by the wonderful staff at Brigadoon.” Article contentSwimmers must raise a minimum of $1,500 and will be accompanied on their journey by a kayaker for safety. Swimmers and kayakers cross the Northumberland Strait during a previous year’s Big Swim. Contributed“I’ve been wanting to do it since I was roughly 16, but I was always working summer jobs, and school,” said Savoie. “This year’s the first time I actually get the time off to do it.” As a former competitive swimmer of nearly 10 years, Savoie was drawn to the challenge, as well as the fundraising aspect. While she hasn’t swum competitively since the pandemic, she still enjoys swimming for fun and has enjoyed working up the strength for the Big Swim. “A lot of swimming goes into it, obviously,” she said. “I try to spend most of my training in the pool, but also … muscle building, biking, running, those kinds of things as well. And just prepping yourself mentally, too, what you’re doing this for, and what it’s gonna entail, and having people that are gonna support you through it.” Savoie’s specialty as a swimmer was short distances, which gives The Big Swim an extra challenge for her, though she’s found peace in swimming longer distances and slowly but surely increasing the distance she can swim in one stretch. Article content For years, Catherine Savoie, a family medicine resident in Summerside, has wanted to participate in the Big Swim, to raise money for Nova Scotia’s Brigadoon Village. This year, she finally has the chance, and the former competitive swimmer has been working on building up her endurance to cross the Northumberland Strait. ContributedMonths ahead of the swim, she’s feeling nervous, yet excited, both for the task and to support a worthy cause. “I’m excited to see just what a difference we can make for Brigadoon,” said Savoie. “Obviously, they’re a non-profit organization, it’s a pay-what-you-can fee for the kids, so no kids are ever turned around for financial reasons. Getting the chance to maybe send one or two kids to camp just because I did the swim would be absolutely worth it.” The Big Swim will take place on July 27. Anyone interested in registering or donating can do so online. Kristin Gardiner is a reporter for the Journal Pioneer in Prince Edward Island. She can be reached at kgardiner@postmedia.com and followed on X @KristinGardiner.Article content
Summerside family medicine resident participating in Big Swim to give back to camp for children with chronic illnesses
