STAMFORD, Conn. – Swimmers and volunteers are invited to take part in the annual Swim Across America Greenwich-Stamford event in Long Island Sound being held June 27. Swimmers as well as boaters, kayakers, paddle boarders and land volunteers are welcome to join in the fight against cancer. Sign up to swim, volunteer or donate at swimacrossamerica.org/greenwich.
To date, more than 150 swimmers and volunteers have already signed up for this moving and inspirational event with the goal of having 200+ swimmers in the water – all making waves in the fight against cancer. Swimmers and volunteers this year range in age from a nine-year-old swimmer from New York City to swimmers and volunteers in their 80s who are joining together to support this important cause. Swim Across America raises funds in the fight against cancer via swim events throughout the United States. Proceeds from the Greenwich-Stamford Swim go directly to the Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy (ACGT), the nation’s only foundation dedicated exclusively to funding cancer gene therapy research. ACGT is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, on the shore of Long Island Sound where this swim is held each year.
Since its founding in 1987, Swim Across America has raised more than $60 million in the fight against cancer with swims throughout the United States. In Connecticut, the annual Swim Across America event is an open water swim with ½-mile, 1.5-mile and 3-mile options. Proceeds from fundraising efforts will support cancer research grants administered by ACGT, which uses 100 percent of all funds raised to support research grants.
Chairs for this year’s Swim are Michele Graham and Lorrie Lorenz, both mothers of teenage cancer survivors. Lorrie Lorenz’s daughter, Brooke, is a Lymphoma survivor and Michele Graham’s daughter, Nicole, is a Leukemia survivor. Both were diagnosed in high school and went through treatment. Brooke is now a graduate (May 2015) from the University of Colorado at Boulder and will be swimming in the event. Nicole just finished her freshman year at Dartmouth College and will be a land volunteer this year.
Honorary co-chairs of the Swim Across America Greenwich-Stamford event are Olympic Gold medalist Donna de Varona and her husband John Pinto, John and Cindy Sites, Mary Henry and Howard Rubin and Arlene and Reuben Mark.
“Co-chairing the Swim Across America Greenwich-Stamford Swim was a natural fit for me,” said Lorrie Lorenz. “My family has been involved with Swim Across America as both volunteers and swimmers for six years. After my daughter, Brooke, was diagnosed with Lymphoma as a senior in high school four years ago, and after two surgeries and many grueling rounds of chemotherapy, I’m happy to report that she is now cancer-free and back in the water raising money for cancer research.”
“Our introduction as a volunteer for Swim Across America came through our daughter, Nicole, who, at age 16, was diagnosed with ALL leukemia in 2012,” noted Michele Graham, Swim Across America co-chair. “After Nicole recovered from critical complications – including septic shock and strokes on both sides of her brain - she was the kickoff speaker for the Swim Across America event in 2013. In 2014, she was co-captain of the team Chemosabi as well as an intern for the Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy. Now, after recently completing chemotherapy, she is once again dedicating her time to this inspiring event.”
The 2015 Greenwich-Stamford Swim will unite recreational swimmers, competitive swimmers, Master swimmers, Olympians, kayakers, boaters and hundreds of volunteers all committed to pursuing a cure for this devastating disease.
“When my daughter was undergoing chemotherapy and struggled to recover from the devastating complications, I was overwhelmed by how much the community rallied to our side and supported us,” says Michele Graham. “Co-chairing Swim Across America is our chance to give back and support everyone whose life is touched by cancer. No one’s cancer is easy. Nicole and Brooke are fortunate. They are cancer survivors. Our goal is to raise funds for cancer treatment and prevention research so that everyone can be a survivor.”
In this one-year alone, 1,334,000 cases of cancer will be diagnosed in the US. This staggering statistic offers compelling proof of the need to continue devising new approaches to research and treatment. There are many ways to "Make Waves to Fight Cancer" with Swim Across America. Whether it is through swimming, volunteering, giving or cheering on loved ones, Swim Across America welcomes anyone and everyone who wants to be a part of the fight against cancer.
Special thanks to the generous sponsors who have made the Swim Across America Greenwich-Stamford event possible and include: Geneve Corporation, CAPTRUST Financial Advisors, Letarte Swimwear Greenwich, Turq Swimbrief, Serendipity, Upper Crust Bagel Company, Westy Self Storage, Conair Corporation, Beres Brooks, Richards of Greenwich, the Barbara and Edward Netter Foundation, Go Figure, Kings, BTIG Finis, Kellogg’s, Kiss My Face, Nestle Pure, Swim Outlet, Swim Swam and Columbus Circle Investors.
Swim Across America, Inc. (SAA) is dedicated to raising money and awareness for cancer research, prevention and treatment through swimming-related events. With the help of hundreds of volunteers nationwide and past and current Olympians, Swim Across America is helping find a cure for cancer through athleticism, community outreach and direct service. To learn more visit swimacrossamerica.org/greenwich or follow on Twitter at SAAGreenwich or Instagram at SAAGreenwich.