“I’m incredibly proud to have played a role in helping the Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy-funded researchers who have made tremendous advances in the development of cell and gene therapies across multiple cancer types over the past decade, and I will continue to swim and support their efforts until cancer becomes a disease of the past.”

Craig Lawrence has been part of the Swim Across America – Fairfield County family from the very beginning. In fact, he swam in the inaugural charity swim and every swim since. Craig swims in honor of his sister, Kimberly Lawrence Netter, who unfortunately lost her battle with breast cancer in 2001 at the age of 44. The loss was devastating for Craig and his family and was the inspiration for Edward and Barbara Netter, Kim’s mother and father-in-law, to found Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy (ACGT), the beneficiary of the funds raised by Swim Across America Fairfield County.

“When Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy and Swim Across America partnered in 2007, I was an avid swimmer and triathlete and knew that I had to get involved. It was just something very personal that I could do to express the love and support that my sister had always shown to me, but I also knew that the collaboration would produce great results in the battle against cancer”

Unfortunately, Craig’s family has had numerous other cancer diagnoses that continue to push him to participate – his father Richard Lawrence, Kim’s father-in-law Edward Netter, cousin Diane Darst and uncle Bob Wassman, have all bravely fought and lost their lives to cancer. For the past 15 years, Craig has gotten into the water and swam three miles to honor their memory and help fund the development of new, innovative cancer treatments, raising over $25,000. In 2021, Craig was joined by his 13 year-old son Graham and the two together made waves to fight cancer.

“I’m incredibly proud to have played a role in helping the Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy-funded researchers who have made tremendous advances in the development of cell and gene therapies across multiple cancer types over the past decade, and I will continue to swim and support their efforts until cancer becomes a disease of the past.”

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.