“The courage, tenacity and fun loving spirit I see in these people makes me want to never stop!”

Robert McLaren first got involved with Swim Across America in San Francisco in 2009 as a way to honor many who have battled cancer and to do his part to “Make Cancer History.” After moving to Houston, he has since participated in seven different Swim Across America open water swims, from 2009 to 2021, and raised more than $107,000 to support cancer research and clinical trials. Robert’s father was sadly diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2005 at the age 80 but was successfully treated at MD Anderson Cancer Center. MD Anderson later treated his Dad for lymphoma and prostate cancer. 

“I’m grateful for the incredible care given by MD Anderson to my dad, which provided him and our family with another 14 years of high quality life,” says Robert McLaren. Robert continues to be inspired by other cancer survivors in the Swim Across America community like Susan Helmrich, Vicki Bunke and Adam Schoen, who have also swam “Across America” with swims in multiple communities. 

“The courage, tenacity and fun loving spirit I see in these people makes me want to never stop!” said Robert. 

Robert takes the Swim Across America name very seriously and has committed to participating in every SAA event across America! So far he has completed eight events in eight cities, seven of those being in 2021, and he will participate in nine open water swims this year! He hopes to complete his challenge and “Swim Across America” in three years. He is truly making an impact.

Swim Across America is celebrating 35 years of impact in 2022. SAA has raised $100 million since its inception in 1987 to support cancer research and clinical trials across the U.S. Please contact Jeni Howard at jhoward@jhowardpr.com for media inquiries.