17-Year-Old Marathon Swimmer Maya Merhige Conquers New Zealand’s Cook Strait, Continuing Her Mission to Make Waves to Fight Cancer

Posted on March 17, 2025March 17, 2025 Posted in #DefeatCancer, #MakingWavesToFightCancer, #SwimAcrossAmerica, beneficiaries, Junior Advisory Board, Making Waves With Hope, News, san francisco, Top FundraisersTagged cancer, cancer research, marathon swimming, media, News, open water swimming, swim across america, swimming, travel1 Comment

Berkeley, California Resident is one of the Youngest in History to Complete the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming and Has Raised More than $125,000 for Cancer Research through Swim Across America

Maya Merhige a 17-year-old marathon swimmer from Berkeley, California, on March 14, 2025, successfully swam New Zealand’s Cook Strait, a 22 km (13.67 mile) body of water and one of the world’s most challenging open water swims. This latest achievement for Merhige comes just eight months after she successfully swam the English Channel in July 2024, becoming one of the youngest swimmers in the world to achieve the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming. The completion of the Cook Strait makes this her tenth marathon swim — all which have been done to raise funds for cancer research with the nonprofit Swim Across America. Throughout her years of swimming and making waves to fight cancer, Maya has raised an incredible $125,000!

*Maya Merhige, third from left, with her support crew after Maya completed the Cook Strait swim.*

Merhige completed the Cook Strait swim in 14 hours, eight minutes and 36 seconds. At 17, she joined the ranks of one of the youngest swimmers to successfully conquer this formidable strait. Accompanying Merhige on this journey and on her support boat was her father Chris Merhige, her official timekeeper, friend and open water coach Kelly Gentry, and her godparents Geoff Tennican and Jen Durning, who have been steadfast supporters of Maya’s and who have donated more than $18,000 to her cause to make waves to fight cancer for the nonprofit Swim Across America, the beneficiary of Maya’s swims. Their presence on the support boat provided invaluable encouragement throughout the swim and helped keep Maya going by relaying uplighting and inspiring messages from Maya’s family and friends all around the world who were following her progress.

The Cook Strait is known for its rough and unpredictable water, high winds and abundant marine life. Situated between the North and South islands of New Zealand, the Cook Strait connects the Tasman Sea with the South Pacific Ocean. Both shores are lined with steep cliffs which can create a wind tunnel effect. The strong gusts of wind and tidal flows make it one of the roughest and most unpredictable stretches of water in the world. The challenging conditions have attracted numerous swimmers, many of whom have failed to make the crossing and several who have succeeded.

The water in the Cook Strait during Maya’s swim was a bit rough with 15-to-25 knot winds and 1 metre swells and the water was a chilly 60 degrees with the air temp only 59 degrees fahrenheit. According to marathon swimming rules, Maya swims with only a bathing suit, swim cap and goggles. “This was one of the gutsiest swims I’ve ever seen, and was according to some folks on the boat too,” noted Maya’s father Chris Merhige, who was on the support boat traveling alongside Maya during her swim.

“Swimming the Cook Strait was a hard, but incredible experience,” Maya Merhige said. “The jellyfish stings, unpredictable currents and wind presented unique challenges, but knowing that my efforts contribute to cancer research kept me motivated. Having my godparents by my side meant the world to me—they have been some of my strongest supporters, always believing in me and helping to make these swims possible.”

Completing the Cook Strait brings Merhige closer to completing the Ocean’s Seven Swims – the most challenging open water swims in the world. Since 2020, she has completed the Catalina Channel, Molokai Channel, English Channel and Cook Strait – with still to come the North Channel, Tsugaru Strait and Strait of Gibraltar.

*Maya and Swim Across America – San Francisco co-event director, Jackie NeJaime*

Merhige’s previous accomplishments include becoming the youngest woman to swim the 20-mile Catalina Channel at just 14 years old, completing the 28.5-mile Manhattan 20 Bridges swim at 15, and crossing the English Channel at 16, earning her the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming.

Merhige’s commitment to open water swimming began at age nine when she joined her first Swim Across America – San Francisco open water swim, where she swam with Team Susan Survives! in honor of a family friend and three-time cancer survivor, Susan Helmrich. Since then, she has participated in the annual swim, raising more than $125,000 for pediatric cancer research with Swim Across America – San Francisco’s local beneficiary UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals.

While raising funds for cancer research and new treatments in support of friends and family members battling cancer has been her inspiration for swimming, writing their names on her swim cap to bring them on the journey with her, Maya has had her own personal health challenges, including discovering a benign pancreatic tumor in 2023 after a ski accident. She has had some ongoing health challenges stemming from the issue and has had her own hospital stays and surgeries, which have only deepened her empathy for cancer patients and strengthened her resolve to support cancer research and help fund new and better treatments.

This fall, Merhige will be starting her freshman year at college, but still hopes to participate in the annual Swim Across America – San Francisco open water swim on September 21, 2025, marking her ninth year swimming in the event. To learn more about Merhige’s amazing swimming accomplishments and to support her fundraising efforts, visit swimacrossamerica.org/maya.

Founded in 1987, Swim Across America has raised more than $100 million to fight cancer. In its 38 years of making waves, thousands of swimmers and Olympians have swum the circumference of the earth three times uniting a movement to fight cancer that has created a groundswell of support spanning all generations. Today, more than 24 communities across the U.S. hold charity swims each year, which support innovative cancer research, detection and patient programs. Swim Across America’s grants have helped support the research and clinical trials for FDA approved immunotherapy medicines: Keytruda, Opdivo, Yervoy, and Tecentriq. Swim Across America is also a grant funder of the successful clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering that was published in The New England Journal of Medicine and showed a 100 percent success rate in treating patients in a phase 2 clinical trial for advanced rectal cancer with dostarlimab, an immunotherapy treatment produced by GlaxoSmithKline. Swim Across America awards grant to more than 60 projects each year and there are ten named Swim Across America Labs at major institutions.

More than 150 Olympians and marathon swimmers support Swim Across America on a regular basis, including Kate Douglass, Michael Phelps, Craig Beardsley, Elizabeth Beisel, Missy Franklin, Ryan Held, Gretchen Walsh, Donna de Varona, Rowdy Gaines, Janel Jorgensen McArdle, Bobby Hackett, Ryan Lochte, Glenn Mills, Cristina Teuscher and many more.

Swim Across America, Inc. (SAA) raises money and awareness for cancer research, prevention and treatment through swimming-related events. With the help of volunteers, and Olympians, Swim Across America is an innovator and leader in giving hope to those fighting cancer. To learn more visit swimacrossamerica.org, Facebook @SwimAcrossAmerica, and Instagram @SAASwim.

Swim Across America – Tampa Bay Welcomes a Family That Makes Waves to Fight Cancer Together

Posted on March 14, 2025May 14, 2025 Posted in #DefeatCancer, #MakingWavesToFightCancer, #SwimAcrossAmerica, beneficiaries, Events, Making Waves With Hope, Messages of Hope, News, tampaTagged cancer, cancer research, health, inspiration, media, News, swim across america, swimming1 Comment

Francesca “Frankie” Grieco-Routh is a kind and caring 13-year-old who loves making art, reading, listening to music, and cheering on her two younger sisters, Emmersan and Augustine. She’s also a leukemia survivor celebrating 10 years of being minimal residual disease (MRD) negative—meaning no cancer cells can be detected in her blood.

“Frankie is so full of life, and her personality is most like Buddy from the movie Elf. She’s full of joy and laughter and wants everyone around her to be happy and comforted,” shared her mother, Giselle. “She loves painting, spending time with family, and being with her service dog, Luna. She’s our warrior.”

This year, the Grieco-Routh family will attend Swim Across America – Tampa Bay on May 10, supported by Emmersan’s team, Team BEST. Emmersan, or Emmie, is an 11-year-old competitive swimmer with St. Petersburg Aquatics and will be a rookie swimmer at this year’s event. She will be joined by friends and teammates to honor her sister Frankie.

“Whatever we do, we do it as a family, and we go all in,” said Giselle. “So when Coach Brackin met Emmie and heard our family’s story, she graciously offered to have their team fundraise in Frankie’s honor. Emmie is excited to swim, and doing it for her sister makes it even more special.”

Giselle and her husband, Ryan, moved Frankie, Emmie, and Augustine (August) from Southern California to St. Petersburg, Florida, to be closer to family and ensure Frankie could continue her long-term maintenance care at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital (JHACH). Swim Across America – Tampa Bay raises funds for immunotherapy research at JHACH and has contributed over $2 million to its beneficiaries since 2012.

“The support we’ve received since moving to St. Petersburg has been incredible—not just from the swimming community, but from the amazing team at JHACH. The care Frankie has received there is unmatched,” said Giselle.

Frankie was just three years old when she was diagnosed with leukemia. After months of unexplained illness and several misdiagnoses, Giselle pushed doctors to order a complete series of tests. That’s when they received the devastating news no family wants to hear.

*Frankie saw her first movie at the hospital theater while receiving treatment for leukemia.*

“The doctor called me and told me to get Frankie to the hospital immediately. Her white blood cell count was extremely high and her body was shutting down. She was rushed into treatment and spent two weeks in the hospital, receiving intense chemotherapy daily and undergoing countless procedures, including weekly spinal taps,” said Giselle.

At the time, Giselle and Ryan had Frankie, 10-month old Emmie, and just found out she was pregnant with their third daughter.

“To say it was overwhelming would be an understatement!” joked Giselle.

Despite everything, Frankie amazed everyone with her strength. Because her immune system was severely compromised, she couldn’t leave her hospital room, but that didn’t stop her from keeping herself entertained with art and movies.

“She would even make art out of her food—stacking bagels and spreading jelly on trays! She was so strong despite being in so much pain,” Giselle shared.

Frankie’s strength extended beyond her own battle—she found ways to comfort other families fighting similar struggles. Even if she couldn’t leave her room, she still sent love and support from afar.

“Every time we heard another family having a tough time—a child crying or a mother sobbing through a broken heart—we’d send them love through our ‘magic fingers,’” Giselle said, as she and Frankie wiggled their fingers in the air.

*August, Emmie and Frankie Grieco-Routh*

As Emmie takes on open water swimming with her team, Frankie, Giselle, Ryan, and August will be on the beach cheering her on. No matter the challenge, they face it together.

“Whether it’s swimming, gymnastics, or leukemia, we are each other’s biggest cheerleaders and support system. Seeing our daughters support each other through thick and thin makes us incredibly proud.”

If you are inspired to support Frankie, Emmie and Team BEST, give here.

Natalie Thompson Makes Waves: How One Nantucket Family Lives the Swim Across America Mission

Posted on March 10, 2025August 5, 2025 Posted in #DefeatCancer, #MakingWavesToFightCancer, #SwimAcrossAmerica, Messages of Hope, nantucket, Top FundraisersTagged blog, cancer, cancer research, family, media, swim across america, swimming, travel2 Comments

Most Swim Across America participants wear their SAA swag with a sense of pride of making an impact in their community. For Natalie Thompson and her family in Nantucket, Massachusetts, it’s more than just an event — it’s a way of life.

“Swim Across America – Nantucket gear is a badge of honor on this island. We swim for the people we see everyday — our neighbors, our friends, and our family — so we can make their fight easier,” said Natalie.

Natalie Thompson, her wife Cassie, and their two sons at a Swim Across America – Nantucket event.

Swim Across America – Nantucket gives grants to on-island cancer treatment and care at Nantucket Cottage Hospital and Palliative and Supportive Care of Nantucket. It also supports glioblastoma research at Mass General Cancer Center in Boston. The unique offering of on-island care allows patients fighting the toughest battle to remain close to home while receiving outstanding treatment.

When it comes to SAA gear, Natalie and her family have plenty. Since 2012, she has participated in the event — in every and any capacity — alongside her wife, Cassie, and their two sons.

“I’ve been part of the setup crew, the breakdown crew, an angel swimmer, a 4-miler… whatever I can do, I do,” said Natalie. “My wife has always volunteered, and now she runs the Falmouth Road Race to support our swim. SAA is just part of our lives. We do it as a team to support our amazing community.”

Natalie first joined SAA-Nantucket to honor her grandmother, who fought breast cancer. As the years went by and Natalie remained involved, cancer would hit close to home not once, but twice more.

“June 2019 changed why I swim for the rest of my life. My wife was diagnosed with ocular melanoma at 33. We had two young boys at the time, and suddenly, we were facing cancer head-on,” she shared.

*Natalie swims the 4-mile course while her wife, Cassie, kayaks beside her.*

“Eight hours after she was diagnosed we attended a Swim Across America event and I knew we had a support system like no other. No one at the event knew that night of her diagnosis but I left having hope that we would make it through it all. This was the first summer I participated in the 4 mile swim and it was even more impactful having my wife as my kayaker.”

Less than a year later, Natalie’s family was hit with more devastating news.

“In March 2020, our world was rocked again. My dad was diagnosed with stage 4 renal cancer,” Natalie said.

“As soon as I heard the news, Jill Roethke and Jim Pignato, SAA-Nantucket co-event directors, were my first call. The world was shutting down due to COVID, and my dad needed tests to begin treatment. They got me connected to the right people, and in that moment, I knew our family had endless support from our Swim Across America family.”

For as long as SAA-Nantucket is around, Natalie and her family will be there, supporting the mission and their community — a value she’s proud to pass on to her sons.

*Natalie and her boys love to match in SAA gear!*

“SAA’s impact on the Nantucket community as a whole means that no one fights their cancer battle alone. We are a community on a little island ensuring that cancer patients spend their invaluable time with their families and friends instead of countless hours traveling for treatment elsewhere.”

“My kids have grown up attending the event, and it’s incredible to teach them about this special support system. They know I swim for their grampie and mom. It’s a special moment every year when I finish the 4-mile swim to have my kids see me finish.”

If you’re inspired to support Natalie and Team Thompson, give here.

Sarah Wiseman Makes Waves for SAA-Nashville and the Cancer Care Team Who Helped Her to Achieve Remission

Posted on March 6, 2025April 17, 2025 Posted in #DefeatCancer, #MakingWavesToFightCancer, #SwimAcrossAmerica, beneficiaries, Fundraising, Making Waves With Hope, Messages of Hope, Nashville, Pool SwimsTagged breast cancer, cancer, cancer research, fundraising, health, media, self-care, swim across america, swimming, wellness1 Comment

When Sarah Wiseman was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2022, it came as a complete shock. Though her mother had been diagnosed with the same cancer in her 60s, Sarah’s genetic marker testing had come back negative. It was a routine mammogram that led to her breast cancer diagnosis.

“I had a routine mammogram that was concerning, which led to further diagnostic testing—an ultrasound and a biopsy,” Sarah explained.

“I had a seed inserted via biopsy, then underwent a partial mastectomy/lumpectomy and lymph node removal during surgery. One lymph node tested positive for metastasis. After healing from surgery, I received radiation treatment on my lymph nodes and left breast — 20 treatments in total. I’m grateful to have had access to a tumor test that evaluated the effectiveness of chemotherapy on my specific tumor. The results came back below the threshold for needing chemo!”

*Sarah Wiseman, a member of the SAA-Nashville committee, was declared in remission from breast cancer in 2023.*

This year, Sarah celebrates her remission and looks forward to swimming in the 4th Annual Swim Across America – Nashville. Funds raised from the event support Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC), where Sarah received treatment.

Sarah swam as a child but really fell into the sport watching her children swim on club teams and in college. Once she got the all-clear from her doctors, Sarah knew exactly how to get her strength back while doing something she loved.

“After I healed from my surgeries, I couldn’t wait to swim. I joined the local Masters team, and thanks to my friend Chris McPherson, I was introduced to Swim Across America,” said Sarah.

Chris McPherson, along with Alyssa Corb and Laurin Bobo, is a co-event director for SAA-Nashville.

“This community event is a wonderful way for me to give back to the doctors, nurses, and caregivers who took such great care of me during treatment,” Sarah said.

Swim Across America’s guiding principle is that money raised locally stays local — something that resonated deeply with Sarah. She takes great pride in supporting an organization that directly benefits her community, especially given her firsthand experience with how much cancer treatment has evolved.

*Members of the SAA-Nashville committee and researchers from Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center present the fundraising total at the 2024 SAA-Nashville community pool swim.*

“In the past, having a positive lymph node would have meant automatic chemotherapy. Today, I am closely monitored by my medical oncologist and surgical oncologist at Vanderbilt Breast Center. And I’m proud to be raising funds for others in our community—people who will be treated at VICC, just like I was,” said Sarah. “I am a beneficiary of the incredible advances in cancer treatment. My mother didn’t have access to these options during her fight. She really struggled, and I believe newer-generation treatments made my journey much easier.”

Now in remission, Sarah is grateful that Swim Across America allows her to support two of her greatest passions: swimming and the cancer care team at VICC.

“I just feel incredibly blessed to have received the life-saving treatment I did,” Sarah shared. “Swimming has had the best impact on my health, and since my cancer diagnosis, I’ve embraced a much healthier lifestyle. I love that SAA allows me to give back through two of my favorite things: swimming and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.”

If you’re inspired to support Sarah and team Wisemans Wack Cancer, give here.

Swim Across America Presents the ASCA 2025 World Clinic Scholarship

Posted on February 12, 2025 Posted in #DefeatCancer, #MakingWavesToFightCancer, #SwimAcrossAmerica, ASCA, College Swim Coach, college swimming, News, partnerships, UncategorizedTagged featured, fundraising, media, News, olympians, sports, swim, swim across america, swimmingLeave a comment

Swim Across America is proud to announce a partnership with the American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) to sponsor a scholarship for a deserving coach to attend the 2025 ASCA World Clinic in Reno, Nevada, September 2-5.

The Swim Across America Scholarship provides full registration for the ASCA World Clinic and covers accommodation at the Peppermill Reno hotel and up to $500 for travel.

The ASCA World Clinic, now in its 58th year, is the largest and most comprehensive annual gathering in the sport of swimming. The event features 50 speakers covering a wide range of topics, an expansive exhibition hall, coaching demonstration at an Endless Pool, and numerous socials and networking opportunities.

This initiative is part of SAA’s commitment to supporting ASCA advancing the sport of swimming and the professional growth of dedicated coaches across the nation.

Applicants must be ASCA members who have never attended a World Clinic. Interested candidates are encouraged to complete the online application by February 28, 2025. The scholarship recipient will be notified by March 31, 2025.

“We deeply appreciate Swim Across America for their generosity and dedication to supporting the coaching community,” said ASCA CEO Jennifer LaMont. “This scholarship underscores their acknowledgment of the critical role coaches play in developing athletes and teams. We can’t wait to welcome the scholarship recipient to Reno this September.”

For more information about the ASCA World Clinic and the Swim Across America scholarship, and to apply, go to www.ascaworldclinic.com.

About Swim Across America
Swim Across America is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds for cancer research through swimming-related events. Since its inception in 1987, Swim Across America has raised over $100M to fund groundbreaking cancer research and clinical trials. Learn more at www.swimacrossamerica.org.

About ASCA
The American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) is the professional association for swim coaches dedicated to inspiring, supporting, and advocating for coaches in the US and worldwide. Through education, certification, and professional development, ASCA empowers coaches to lead swimmers toward excellence while advancing the sport of swimming. Learn more at www.swimmingcoach.org.

Swim Across America – Charlotte In the News

Posted on October 7, 2024October 8, 2024 Posted in #DefeatCancer, #MakingWavesToFightCancer, #SwimAcrossAmerica, charlotte, college swimming, event directors, Events, Fundraising, Junior Advisory Board, Making Waves With Hope, News, UncategorizedTagged cancer, cancer research, media, News, swim across americaLeave a comment

Read or watch local stories featuring the Swim Across America-Charlotte community to learn about their impact. Learn more about the event and beneficiary, Levine Cancer Institute and Levine Children’s Hospital, at swimacrossamerica.org/charlotte.

SAAswim.com – Swim Across America blog

SHANNON CARNEY: A SURVIVOR’S JOURNEY TO HONOR LOVED ONES AND MAKE WAVES TO FIGHT CANCER

Charlotte Observer

In Charlotte, this organization donates to defeat cancer and lets people swim to remember

WCNC (NBC 36)

Charlotte ‘Swim Across America Day’ is this weekend

South Charlotte Weekly

Swim raises money for cancer research, clinical trials

Charlotte Magazine

Swim Across America – Charlotte Charity Swim

Charlotte Patch

Annual Swim Across America – Charlotte Charity Swim

MSN.com (via Charlotte Observer)

In Charlotte, this organization donates to defeat cancer and lets people swim to remember

In August 2024, Charlotte resident, Julia Brookshire, completed the Hellespont-Dardanelles swim through a partnership between Swim Across America and SwimTrek Swimming Holidays. She also celebrated retirement, a serendipitous new career, and being in deep remission from Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Find media highlights from Julia’s adventure here.

SHANNON CARNEY: A SURVIVOR’S JOURNEY TO HONOR LOVED ONES AND MAKE WAVES TO FIGHT CANCER

Posted on September 9, 2024 Posted in #DefeatCancer, #MakingWavesToFightCancer, #SwimAcrossAmerica, beneficiaries, charlotte, Making Waves With Hope, Messages of Hope, News, Uncategorized2 Comments

At 37, Shannon Carney received a diagnosis that would alter the course of her life — a breast cancer diagnosis that has shaped her journey for over two decades.

*Shannon Carney, a breast cancer survivor, swam at the 2023 SAA-Charlotte open water swim.*

“It changes a person to their core,” Shannon says as she reflects on the battles fought not only by herself but by those she loves. “Cancer has taken a lot from me, including my mother to pancreatic cancer and my father to prostate cancer.”

Now, Shannon is celebrating 21 years of being cancer free and her second year supporting Swim Across America – Charlotte. She joins SAA-Charlotte event director and good friend, Patty Waldron, on team MSA Team Out of My Box.

This year, her participation in SAA-Charlotte carries a deeply personal dedication. She swims in memory of Rob DiFrank, a dear friend who passed away last November.

“Rob’s life was tragically cut short by a rare blood cancer at the age of 40. His loss is felt not only by his friends but also by his surviving wife Lauren, herself a cancer survivor, and their miraculous four-year-old son, James,” shared Shannon.

The pain of losing loved ones to cancer is a familiar one. Over her 18 years of involvement in the cancer support community, she witnessed firsthand the devastation cancer can bring to both young and old.

*Shannon and her friend, Rob DiFrank, who lost his battle with a rare blood cancer in November 2023.*

“The research support that Swim Across America provides is an important path to reducing the pain and suffering that cancer can bring,” she says, emphasizing the critical role that the organization plays in the fight against cancer.

*Shannon smiling through cancer treatments!*

Shannon’s commitment to cancer survivors extends beyond swimming with Swim Across America. She and her husband, Dave Pschirer, co-founded Wind River Services, a cancer wellness program that operated for 17 years, offering free support to cancer survivors. Prior to operating Wind River Services, Shannon was a corporate lawyer.

”I’m grateful to the team of dedicated and caring professionals that helped our community during the toughest fight. This program became a lifeline for many, providing hope and healing without any financial burden,” said Shannon.

Shannon retired in January of this year, and she reflects on the impact her team had on the lives it touched.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to join Swim Across America and continue to give back to a community that has given me so much.”

If you are moved to support Shannon, click here.

6th Annual Swim Across America – Houston to Make Waves in the Fight Against Cancer on October 5

Posted on September 6, 2024 Posted in #DefeatCancer, #MakingWavesToFightCancer, #SwimAcrossAmerica, beneficiaries, Fundraising, houston, Making Waves With Hope, SAA My Way, Top Fundraisers, Uncategorized1 Comment

250 Swimmers and Volunteers will Dive in at Exciting New Location to Raise Funds for the Swim’s Beneficiary MD Anderson Cancer Center

Swim Across America, a national nonprofit dedicated to raising funds for cancer research through swimming events, is thrilled to announce the 6th annual Swim Across America – Houston open water swim on Saturday, October 5, 2024. This year’s swim will take place at a new location, the popular Margaritaville Lake Conroe in Montgomery, Texas, which also hosted an earlier pool swim in May. Swimmers of all ages and abilities are encouraged to participate, choosing between a 1/2-mile, 1-mile, or 2-mile swim to support vital cancer research and clinical trials at Swim Across America – Houston’s local beneficiary, MD Anderson Cancer Center. Swimmers and volunteers can register at swimacrossamerica.org/houston or those who wish to donate can do so as well.

Since its founding in 2019, Swim Across America – Houston has raised more than $340,000 for MD Anderson Cancer Center. Each year, the event brings together more than 250 swimmers, volunteers, Olympians, and supporters who join forces to make waves in the fight against cancer.

One of the swim’s most inspiring participants is Rob McLaren, the top fundraiser and leader of the “Shell Smashes Cancer” team. Rob recently completed the impressive 12-mile width of Lake Tahoe in just a speedo, raising funds for MD Anderson to improve treatments for Glioblastoma, a highly aggressive form of brain cancer with a challenging 25% five-year survival rate.

“We hope and pray that MD Anderson can develop an immunotherapy to preclude the use of harsh, less effective treatments such as chemo,” said Rob, who had set a goal to raise $12,000 — or $1,000 for every mile he swam in the frigid waters of Lake Tahoe. To date, Rob has raised an amazing $17,229 this year alone, and has consistently been the top fundraiser in previous years of Swim Across America – Houston events, raising a total of $160,700 throughout the years.

*In addition to swimming at the 2024 SAA-Houston open water swim in October, Rob McLaren completed the Lake Tahoe (12-mile width) open water swim.*

“One supporter said he would pay $1,000 for my final 12th mile of the Lake Tahoe swim,” said Rob. “That helped me be especially motivated to complete the swim to enforce his side of the deal!”

In addition to his fundraising efforts, Rob has accomplished the extraordinary feat of swimming in all 24 Swim Across America open water swims nationwide between 2021 and 2023, a testament to his dedication to the cause.

“We are excited this year to bring Swim Across America – Houston to Margaritaville Lake Conroe and continue raising crucial funds for cancer research at MD Anderson,” said Rob McLaren, who is also one of the co-event directors this year of the swim. “The passion and commitment of our swimmers, volunteers, and supporters truly make a difference in the lives of those impacted by cancer.”

Swim Across America – San Francisco Bay Open Water Swim Returns for Its 19th Year

Posted on September 6, 2024 Posted in #DefeatCancer, #MakingWavesToFightCancer, #SwimAcrossAmerica, beneficiaries, Events, Fundraising, Junior Advisory Board, Making Waves With Hope, san francisco, Top Fundraisers1 Comment

Local SF-Bay Area Teen and Marathon Swimmer Maya Merhige Joins Hundreds to Make Waves to Fight Cancer for the Swim’s Local Beneficiary UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals

The 19th annual Swim Across America – San Francisco Bay open water swim will take place on Saturday, October 5, 2024, with swimmers, Olympians, volunteers, and supporters all making waves in the fight against cancer. This year’s 1.5-mile point-to-point swim begins at Little Marina Green and finishes in Aquatic Park in San Francisco. The event is expected to raise close to $400,000 for innovative cancer research and patient care at Swim Across America – San Francisco Bay’s local beneficiaries UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals, with proceeds supporting the Oakland Research Institute and the Survivors of Childhood Cancer Program at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital San Francisco. To date, the swim has raised more than $5.5 million for UCSF. Swimmers and land and water volunteers can register at swimacrossamerica.org/sanfrancisco, as well as donate.

One of the standout participants in this year’s swim is 17-year-old Maya Merhige of Berkeley, California, who has participated in the Swim Across America – San Francisco Bay swim for the past nine years. Maya is also a marathon swimmer and recently became one of the youngest athletes in history to complete the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming by successfully swimming the English Channel in July 2024.

*17-year-old marathon swimmer, Maya Merhige, recently completed the English Channel swim earning her to coveted Triple Crown.*

She joins an elite group of swimmers who have conquered the English Channel, Catalina Channel, and Manhattan 20 Bridges Swim. Maya’s accomplishments extend beyond the Triple Crown: she holds world records as the youngest woman to swim the Catalina Channel and all three major courses of Lake Tahoe, and she is the youngest person to complete the grueling 26-mile Kaiwi Molokai Channel between Molokai and Oahu in 27 hours and 33 minutes, joining the prestigious “24-Hour Club,” with one of the longest non-stop open water swims in history.

Maya’s inspiration to swim to make waves to fight cancer stems from first swimming for her family friend Susan Helmrich, a three-time cancer survivor who recently marked 47 years after being first diagnosed with cancer at the young age of 21. Susan, now 69 years-old, has swum in the Swim Across America – San Francisco Bay open water swim for 17 out of the 19 years and has raised more than a million dollars with her “Team Susan Survives!”

Maya has also faced health challenges of her own. In March 2023, after a ski crash, doctors discovered a benign tumor on her pancreas. Despite multiple surgeries, hospitalizations, and chronic pain, Maya continued to train and swim, demonstrating extraordinary resilience. Her own health battles have deepened her empathy for pediatric cancer patients and strengthened her commitment to raising funds for cancer research.

“I’d especially like to thank Dr. Julie Saba, director of the Swim Across America Research Lab at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland, for her continued support throughout my own health challenges. For that, I am forever grateful and inspired to raise even more for Swim Across America and UCSF through my swimming,” noted Maya.

Maya also noted that she is grateful and excited to have completed the English Channel this year. “It’s been an honor to raise more than $120,000 to support UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals, and I plan to continue raising awareness and funds for cancer research. Swimming has given me so much, and I want to give back in every way I can.”

In addition to her remarkable swimming feats, Maya serves as the president of the Swim Across America – San Francisco Junior Advisory Board, inspiring other young swimmers to join the cause. Her dedication, both in the water and in her leadership role, has been an inspiration to other teens and adults alike. This year, Maya will be swimming on October 5 with her team, “Chasing Channels,” alongside other Junior Advisory Board members. She also carries on a meaningful tradition of writing the names of friends and family battling cancer on her swim cap — a personal tribute that fuels her resolve.

“We are so proud of Maya’s passion and determination,” said Liz Tung, Maya’s mother. “Her commitment to Swim Across America and raising funds for cancer research is truly inspiring, and we’re excited to see her continue to make an impact.”

Julia Brookshire 2024 Media Highlights

Posted on August 28, 2024January 28, 2025 Posted in #DefeatCancer, #MakingWavesToFightCancer, #SwimAcrossAmerica, charlotte, Events, Fundraising, Making Waves With Hope, Messages of Hope, News, partnerships, SAA My Way, Top Fundraisers, Uncategorized2 Comments

In 2024, Julia Brookshire made the leap from pharmaceutical sales rep to Swim Across America National Safety Director signifying a full circle journey. She also celebrated being in deep remission from chronic lymphocytic leukemia. To ensure she didn’t “waste her cancer,” she set out to raise money for Swim Across America through an SAA My Way challenge and a historic cross-continental swim with SwimTrek. Read Julia’s story here and find media highlights below.