Minke whale helps fight breast cancer

From CBS News in the USA:

April 5, 2010

Whale Befriends Paddler Off Calif. Coast

Caught on Tape: Jodie Nelson Was Standup-Paddling Her Board When Whale She Named “Larry” Suddenly Joined Her

Surfer Jodie Nelson has one whale of a tale to tell.

She became the first woman to standup paddle alone the nearly 40 miles from Catalina Island to the California coastline late last month.

Nelson made the journey to inspire her best friend, who’s fighting breast cancer.

During the nine-hour journey, Nelson made a new friend: She was joined by a playful 30-foot minke whale, that swam alongside her 14-foot board for almost two hours. Nelson named it Larry.

Minke whales aren’t commonly seen off Southern California, and those spotted by boaters are often elusive.

Nelson named the whale Larry, and his appearance has so far helped to raise more than $120,000 for breast cancer research.

She calls the paddling her “pep talk” to her friend, whom she often accompanies to chemotherapy.

Nelson is sponsored by Paddle With Purpose.

She told “Early Show” co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez all about Larry – with video of the experience, to boot:

Why Do Whales Beach Themselves? Here.

Culling Minke whales has no effect on large whale populations: here.

Norwegian whaler filmed taking an age to kill a Minke whale: here.

Whaling compromise rejected by IWC – Good or bad news? Here.

Questions raised over Greenland’s ‘subsistence’ whaling as supermarkets and hotels fuel demand: here.

Docs Fail to Find Breast Cancer in Black Women: here.