Andy Rieger
Swim Across America – Houston
Age: 50
Years supporting SAA: 5
Andy Rieger has always had a love of water. In fact, he grew up swimming competitively from age 5 to 22.
“I competed at swim meets at Youngstown State University and at the Trumbull County YMCA. Then, I swam for four years at West Point, where I was the swim team captain my senior year,” Andy said.
Andy then “took off for a few decades” and started running to stay active. Injuries and encouragement from his wife led him back home to swimming.
“A few knee surgeries into my running days and Jordana, my wife, encouraged me to get back in the water. I did and discovered open water swimming.”
Then in 2012, the Rieger family’s world was turned upside down when Jordana was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer.
“We were living overseas when she was diagnosed. Since I was in the oil and gas industry, we were able to come back to Houston,” he said.
The family settled back in Houston and Jordana was treated at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Jordana received multiple treatments and procedures including chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. After a six-year battle, Jordana passed away in 2018.
“Jordana endured more than I thought was possible. She fought with everything she had. During this time so many people supported our family with kindness, generosity, and in other ways that I can never repay them personally,” said Andy.
“I never really grasped how many people’s lives are impacted daily by cancer until my family was immersed in the battle with Jordana.”
After Jordana passed, Andy sought a way to give back to the community that gave him so much during their difficult times.
“In late 2018, I stumbled upon Swim Across America, which was planning its inaugural swim in Houston for April 2019. I wanted to honor Jordana and pay it forward to all those who supported my family. Swim Across America was a perfect match for the two things I was passionate about: fighting cancer and swimming.”
Andy formed his team, Team Rae, and they have swum at every Swim Across America – Houston event since 2019. Funds raised at the SAA-Houston event are granted to researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center.
In late 2021, cancer hit home again when Andy’s brother, Matt, was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer and passed away shortly after his diagnosis at age 50. Matt lived in Chicago, home to another Swim Across America event, so Andy set out to make waves in another city.
“Swimming again was the perfect way to honor Matt and continue to support the fight against cancer in another city, this time in Chicago, where Matt lived.”
“Matt was only 18 months older than me. We grew up together and were teammates (sometimes co-conspirators) on all kinds of adventures as kids. We were even teammates on our local age group swim team. Since 2022, I’ve added the SAA-Chicago open water swim to my annual swim calendar as well.”
In total, his teams in Houston and Chicago have raised more than $75,000.
Through difficult times, Andy has found a welcoming and supportive community through Swim Across America. And Team Rae grew to include friends and family whose lives have been touched by cancer.
“I have recruited my family members to join me as swimmers or volunteers, including my oldest brother Thad, and my father Gil, who have both had their own battles with cancer in recent years. My mother Casey, sister Amy, my daughters, nieces, nephews and some friends, all come together to support this important and meaningful cause.”
Andy’s involvement with Swim Across America has brought waves of happiness, as well! Last year, a former swim teammate, Kristen Paternina, joined Team Rae in Houston. Andy and Kristen hadn’t seen each other for almost 30 years and reconnected at the event.
“Kristen and I swam together on our local YMCA swim team in northeastern Ohio. We hadn’t seen each other since the early 1990’s and we reconnected at SAA-Houston in April 2022. We have been together ever since and just bought a house together this past summer.”
If you are moved to support Andy and Team Rae, 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.
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