Dan Levy, of Chappaqua, NY, has participated in Swim Across America – Long Island Sound community swims since 2008, when his sister, Karen Marcum, passed away after a long battle with colon cancer. Swim Across America events gave Dan an opportunity to honor his sister’s memory while raising funds for cancer research.
“I have swam my whole life and I was a coach at the Chappaqua Swim and Tennis Club for 25 years, so supporting Swim Across America is the best way to honor my sister while doing something I love,” said Dan.
Swim Across America – Long Island Sound is Swim Across America’s largest and longest-running open water swim raising more than $25 million since 1992.
On July 27, the community will hold its 32nd annual event at the Larchmont Yacht Club and welcome more than 700 swimmers and volunteers. The community swim benefits Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Columbia University Medical Center, Cancer Support Team, and Weill Cornell Medicine.
In addition to the annual open water swim, SAA-Long Island Sound hosts many pool swims in the Westchester, NY area. And this year, Dan will swim in all eight of them!
“I’m really excited because 2024 is my 8th year participating in all SAA-Long Island Sound pool swims, and thanks to the addition of the same-day pool swim at the Larchmont Shore Club, there are eight swims!” shared Dan.
Dan’s tour of pool swims started in 2016 and he has upheld the tradition ever since. In addition to the pool swims, he swam in the SAA-Long Island Sound open water swim in 2021.
“In 2016, my Westchester Masters teammate, Carrie Dillon, and I completed the mile swim at all of the SAA-Long Island Sound pool events,” said Dan.
“I feel so proud, honored, and fortunate to use my lifelong love of swimming to help raise funds for research and treatment to support and make a difference in the lives of those battling cancer now or in the future.”
This year, Dan is swimming as captain of Team KiDS, an acronym created in memory of loved ones and community members who have fought cancer. The team has more than 20 members participating in various pool swims.
In total, Dan and his teams have raised close to $500,000 for Swim Across America – Long Island Sound.
Dan started Team Karen after his sister passed in 2008. Shortly after, the team name was changed to Team Karen and David to honor David Simon, a member of the swimming community.
“A year before my sister passed away, David Simon lost his battle with cancer,” shared Dan.
“David was the father of two members on our summer swim team, the husband of the then-Board President, and our team’s unofficial photographer.”
The team name evolved again in 2019 to honor a young swimmer, Scarlett Chwatko. Dan’s swim team also found a unique way to ensure Scarlett’s memory lives on.
“In 2019, one of our youngest team members, 8-year-old Scarlett Chwatko, lost her fight against brain cancer. Scarlett was an inspiration to all who knew her,” said Dan.
“Her courage and perseverance were the impetus for the creation of the swim team’s Brave Bunny Award. This award is given to the swim team member who exhibits those same qualities each season.”
After she passed, Scarlett’s brother, Max, created Team BB (Brave Bunny) and the two teams have come together to form Team KiDS.
“The acronym is for the first names of these three remarkable individuals. Placed together, it is also for the amazing kids and their friends and families who come together every year to show how their love for swimming can make a difference in the ongoing fight against all forms of cancer,” explained Dan.
In addition to Karen, Dave, and Scarlett, Dan also swims for Masters teammates, Jason Troiano and John Needham, and his brother, Alan.
“Alan developed renal cancer and had surgery in Fall 2023. The tumor was malignant, but fortunately, the cancer had not yet metastasized and he remains cancer free to this day. I’m thankful to all the doctors and researchers who work tirelessly towards a cure to this awful disease.”
If you are moved to support Dan Levy and Team KiDS, click here.
Swim Across America 