LARCHMONT, N.Y. – August 16, 2022 – Hundreds of swimmers made even greater waves this summer at Swim Across America Long Island Sound chapter’s open-water and seven pool events, raising a record-breaking $1.64 million for local cancer research, prevention and treatment.
Swim Across America Long Island Sound chapter (SAA-LIS) was founded thirty years ago with only 17 swimmers, who raised $15K for the cause. Since 1992, SAA-LIS has grown to be the organization’s largest chapter whose swimmers now have raised over $23 million life-saving dollars.
“Unfortunately, everyone knows someone who has cancer or has lost a loved one to the disease,” says SAA-LIS Executive Director Tony Sibio. “We at SAA-LIS are a family of incredibly dedicated swimmers, kayakers, and volunteers, who participate year after year because we know we play a key role in helping to eradicate cancer forever. I couldn’t be more proud or thankful to our participants who over the years have continued to bring hope to those battling cancer.”
The fundraising activities of SAA-LIS have already had a profound impact. The chapter was instrumental in funding some of the most exciting cancer news this year with the announcement of a clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering which was published in
The New England Journal of Medicine and showed a 100 percent success rate in treating patients in a phase 2 clinical trial for advanced rectal cancer with dostarlimab, an immunotherapy treatment produced by GlaxoSmithKline. The clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering was funded by early-stage grant funding from SAA-LIS.
Proceeds from the swims support the Swim Across America research lab, Dr. Luis Diaz and the MSK Kids Department of Pediatrics at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; pediatric oncology research at Morgan Stanley Columbia University Medical Center; and patient services with Cancer Support Team.
Although the swim season is officially over for 2022, donations are always welcome and can be sent to SAA-Long Island Sound, P.O. Box 217, Larchmont, NY 10538.
“SAA-LIS has come a long way in the past three decades, but we won’t stop swimming and fighting until cancer is gone for good,” adds Mr. Sibio.
* aerial photography by Bedford Photo-Graphic, Inc.
