Swim Across America Fairfield County and Greenwich Crew are teaming up for the second annual charity rowing event — Meters for a Cure ERG Challenge on September 29, 2019 —with proceeds supporting Swim Across America Fairfield County and it’s local beneficiary the Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy (ACGT), the nation’s only foundation dedicated exclusively to funding cancer gene therapy research.
On Sunday, September 29, hundreds of crew members, their families and friends, will come together to help raise money for cancer research at the Greenwich Water Club at 49 River Road, Cos Cob, Connecticut,and relay against each other on ERG machines (a rowing machine also known as an ergometer) to compete to see which team can accumulate the most meters in 40 minutes. Teams are organized and divided by age group (youth and adult) and each participant is being asked to raise at least $100 for the cause. This event is open to anyone who wants to participate and encourages other crew teams throughout Fairfield County to join in the fun. Registration is available in advance at swimacrossamerica.org/gwc2019. On-site registration on September 29 opens at 7:30 a.m.
“Our first Swim Across America Fairfield County Meters for A Cure Erg Challenge was a huge success last year,” noted Michele Graham, one of the co-chairs of Swim Across America Fairfield County. “We raised $25,000 for crucial cancer gene therapy research in just three short hours. We hope to raise even more this year and are excited to see this program expand to other crew teams throughout Fairfield County.”
“Bringing together Swim Across America with Greenwich Crew and other crew teams is a great way for everyone who is passionate about finding a better treatment for cancer to all make waves!” said Nancy Carr, co-chair of Swim Across America Fairfield County.
“Last year’s inaugural Meters for A Cure event was an incredibly inspiring day,” said Michael Wieneke, director of Programs and Member Services with Greenwich Crew and the Greenwich Water Club. “Everyone who participated had a great time. Part of being a good rower is giving back to your community and the ERG Challenge is a great way for our kids to put their talents to the test and give back by supporting Swim Across America Fairfield County and its mission to raise funds for cancer research. Everyone knows someone who has been touched by cancer, whether it is a family member, friend or co-worker. Swim Across America has a great reputation supporting cancer research both in Fairfield County and nationally. We are happy Swim Across America Fairfield County partnered with Greenwich Crew to help develop programs outside of their open water and pool swims and we are excited about our upcoming event on September 29.”
Swim Across America Fairfield County has been holding open water swims in Fairfield County for the past 13 years and has raised more than $4 million for its local beneficiary the Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy and its cancer gene therapy research grants.