Amy Lotven Herald Staff Writer

TODD WETHERINGTON | DAILY HERALD Seventy-three-year-old pancreatic cancer survivor Don Chartier towels off after completing his 73-lap swim at the Aquatic Center Friday. Advertisement

ROANOKE RAPIDS - Don Chartier is 73 years old and he's got the laps to prove it.

He also wants to prove to the community the benefits of exercise, as he believes his swimming habit helped save his life.

Friday morning, Chartier - who only recently survived a tough year of chemotherapy - and his family invited the media to join them as Chartier conducted what has become a tradition for him: Swimming as many laps as years he has lived.

This year, it took him a scant 95 minutes to do so. Afterward, as he dried himself off, he looked nearly as energetic as he was before jumping in.

Years ago, Chartier's wife, Jane, began coming to the Aquatic Center from their home in Lake Gaston to participate in one of the classes the facility provides. one particular Monday, she couldn't find the inspiration to attend. “On Mondays, I hated to get up,” she said.

So to encourage her, Chartier went along.

At first, he found the laps boring, Jane said. So he decided to spice it up a bit by doing as many laps as his age. That was four years ago, and every year since, Chartier has marked his birthday in that unusual manner.

That is, until this year.

In January, Chartier, who family members said was already a survivor of prostrate cancer, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. “It's bad stuff,” Chartier said.

Pancreatic cancer has one of the lowest survival rates, according to the American Cancer Society.

After the diagnosis, Chartier had surgery and then went through many rounds of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Several other complications, like blood clots and a hernia, kept him from doing the laps on his birthday, like he normally does.

Still, every doctor he saw told him it was his excellent physical condition that helped him make it through.

Chartier also said recent medical advances significantly improved his chances of survival. “The chemo I had didn't exist four or five years ago,” he said.

But not every doctor was thrilled he wanted to leap back in the water just weeks after his surgery. After a while, he gave them little option.

He's pretty determined, his daughter Dorene pointed out. She said he loves to exercise and besides swimming, golfing is one of his favorite activities.

After a hiatus, he fought his way back to the golf course, although he now has to use a golf cart, rather than walk all 18 holes.

Now that he's completed his task, Don and Jane plan to take some time to travel around the country visiting friends and family in Texas, Minnesota and many places in between.

He says he's in no rush and sees little reason to leave before breakfast or drive through happy hour.