Hong Kong domestic helper’s new passion for swimming helps her ‘forget’ cancer diagnosis
Cocoy Sabareza from the Philippines learned to swim only four years ago, but competitions in the city inspire her
“When I’m in the water, I feel like I have freedom – I forget that I have cancer.”
Cocoy Sabareza, a domestic helper in Hong Kong, learned to swim only four years ago, but that was far from all she overcame as she conquered the city’s waters on Sunday.
The 54-year-old from the Philippines was one of hundreds to tackle the Hong Kong Four Beaches Challenge, a 3.3km (2.05-mile) swim in Sai Kung that she finished in under 1½ hours.
She was empowered to do so in 2021 by Splash Foundation, a local charity that teaches the city’s domestic workers, refugees and disadvantaged communities to swim.
But shortly after that, in May 2022, she received a medical diagnosis that would change her life.
“When I finished the beginner class at Splash Foundation, I started doing open water with my friends,” Sabareza said. “I started to love the water, but I was diagnosed with breast cancer.”