Payton De La Cruz
Swim Across America – Rhode Island
2 years supporting Swim Across America
Age: 27
As a PhD student in cancer biology at Brown University, Providence resident Payton De La Cruz knows first-hand how important philanthropy is to cancer research.
When the opportunity arose to support the national nonprofit that funds her work at Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island’s Program in Women’s Oncology, she jumped — or dove — at the chance to “make waves” in the fight against cancer.
“I’ve swum recreationally my entire life, so I was excited to learn that Swim Across America funds the Woman and Infants Hospital labs I work in under Doctors Kate Grive and Nicole James,” said Payton. “SAA’s mission aligns with my values, and its support of our translational research in early-stage breast and gynecologic cancer has been vital.”
Payton sits on SAA-Rhode Island’s event planning committee. Earlier this year, she attended the SAA national leadership summit and subsequently joined the associate board, which supports the nonprofit’s mission by fostering student and community engagement through initiatives such as the new College Ambassador Program.
At this year’s Rhode Island Swim, Payton will volunteer on the beach before and after she dives in to swim a mile with the One Fin Tunas team captained by Dr. David Edmonson.
“Swim Across America’s annual grant literally supports everything I do, not just supplies and equipment,” noted Payton.
“Those funds enabled me to join the lab in 2021 as a full-time graduate student starting a new project on triple-negative breast cancer and immunotherapy. I’m grateful for this experience and proud to be part of the next generation of cancer researchers supported by Swim Across America.”
Payton earned a bachelor’s degree in molecular and cellular biology at University of Arizona and a master’s degree in environmental health at Boston University. Besides her academic studies and cancer research work, she is an avid rower and coordinates science outreach programs for students in under-represented communities.
If you are moved to support Payton De La Cruz, you can donate here.
Swim Across America 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.
Swim Across America 
One thought on “Brown University PhD Student Makes Waves for Swim Across America – Rhode Island – In the Water and the Lab”