Category: Events

SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – NANTUCKET IN THE NEWS

Posted on Posted in #DefeatCancer, #MakingWavesToFightCancer, #SwimAcrossAmerica, beneficiaries, event directors, Events, Fundraising, Making Waves With Hope, Messages of Hope, nantucket, News, Top Fundraisers, UncategorizedTagged , , , , , Leave a comment

Read or watch local stories featuring the Swim Across America-Nantucket community to learn about their impact. Learn more about the event and beneficiaries, Nantucket Cottage Hospital, Palliative and Supportive Care of Nantucket, and Mass General Cancer Center, at swimacrossamerica.org/nantucket.

SAAswim.com – Swim Across America blog

DUNCAN RICHARDSON FINDS HOPE IN HIS CANCER JOURNEY THROUGH SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – NANTUCKET SUPPORT

Nantucket Current

“I’m Not Supposed To Be Here” Duncan Richardson Swims To Give Hope To Future Cancer Patients

Swim Across America Nantucket Aims For New Fundraising Goal On Saturday

Photo Gallery: Swim Across America Nantucket Raises $825,000 In 12th Year

14 Runners Complete Falmouth Road Race For Swim Across America Nantucket

The Inquirer and Mirror

Swim Across America takes to water Saturday

Photo Gallery: Swim Across America Nantucket

CapeCod.com

Swim Across America Returns To Nantucket’s Jetties Beach This Weekend

Yesterday’s Island Today’s Nantucket

Swim to Fight Cancer

SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – MOTOR CITY MILE IN THE NEWS

Posted on Posted in #DefeatCancer, Events, Family Tree, Fundraising, Labs, Motor City Mile, News, olympians, UncategorizedTagged , , , , , Leave a comment

Read or watch local stories featuring the Swim Across America-Motor City Mile community to learn about their impact. Learn more about the event and beneficiary, Rogel Cancer Center, at swimacrossamerica.org/detroit.

SWIM ACROSS AMERICA BLOG – SAASWIM.COM

CANCER SURVIVOR, KARA WOLTER, CELEBRATES FIVE YEARS OF MAKING WAVES WITH SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – MOTOR CITY MILE

Detroit Free Press

Bone cancer survivor swims across Belle Isle to raise money for research

The Sun Times News

Cancer Survivor Kara Wolter Makes Waves to Fight Cancer at 6th Annual Swim Across America

The Macomb Daily

Swim Across America Motor City Mile hits the water Friday

WDIV Click on Detroit (Local 4)

Motor City Mile at Belle Isle is back for a good cause

Maya Merhige x Swim Across America Media Highlights

Posted on Posted in #MakingWavesToFightCancer, #SwimAcrossAmerica, beneficiaries, Events, Fundraising, Junior Advisory Board, Making Waves With Hope, Messages of Hope, News, san francisco, Top Fundraisers, wave makerTagged , , , , , 1 Comment

Media coverage celebrating Swim Across America – San Francisco participant and marathon swimmer, Maya Merhige. Learn about Maya and her record-breaking marathon swims at swimacrossamerica.org/maya. For media inquiries, email Jeni Howard.

Cook Strait Swim – March 2025

Berkeley High Jacket: “Teen swimmer Maya Merhige makes waves around the world”

Radio New Zealand (RNZ): “Maya swims everything”

SwimSwam: “17-Year-Old Open Water Swimmer Maya Merhige Conquers New Zealand’s Cook Strait”

Swimming World: “Maya Merhige, 17, Adds Crossing of New Zealand’s Cook Strait”

World Open Water Swimming Association: “17-Year-Old Marathon Swimmer Maya Merhige Conquers New Zealand’s Cook Strait, Continuing Her Mission to Make Waves to Fight Cancer”

The Sports Column: “Making Waves to Fight Cancer, 17-Year-Old Maya Merhige Conquers New Zealand’s Cook Strait”

KPIX-TV (CBS, 5): “Berkeley high school student completes daunting open water swim in New Zealand”

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

English Channel Swim and Triple Crown – July 2024

NBC News Now: Teen swims English Channel to help fight cancer

People Magazine: “16-Year-Old Successfully Swims the English Channel — Up Next? Her Senior Year of High School”

New York Times: At 17, She’s Already Conquered Some of the World’s Big Swims

The Sports Column: “16-Year-Old Maya Merhige Swims English Channel, Raises +$100,000 to Fight Cancer”

SwimSwam: “16-YEAR-OLD MAYA MERHIGE SUCCESSFULLY SWIMS THE ENGLISH CHANNEL”

Berkeleyside (updated): “Berkeley teen braves sharks and hyperthermia in world record swims. What keeps her going?”

Yahoo! Sport: “16-Year-Old Successfully Swims the English Channel — Up Next? Her Senior Year of High School”

Swimming World: “Maya Merhige Swims English Channel at Age 16 to Complete Open Water Triple Crown”

Outdoor Swimmer: “16-year-old Maya Merhige to swim English Channel”

SwimSwam: “16-Year-Old Marathon Swimmer Maya Merhige to Tackle English Channel”

The Sports Column: “Maya Merhige: ‘I Swim for Each and Every Person Who Has Ever Been Touched by Cancer’”

News and Views on the State of Swimming: “MAYA MERHIGE, 16, TO TACKLE ENGLISH CHANNEL & EARN TRIPLE CROWN IN AID OF CANCER RESEARCH”

East Bay Times: In brief: Berkeley girl, 16, swims English Channel, helps fight cancer

SF Gate: California Teen Swimmer Makes History With ‘Triple Crown’

The Mercury News: Berkeley teen swims English Channel, completing Open Water Triple Crown for a greater cause

SwimTrek: ‘The Girl That Does Those Crazy Swims’: Maya Merhige

20 Bridges Swim, Manhattan, NY – July 2023

ABC World News Tonight: “15-YEAR-OLD SWIMMER TAKES A LAP AROUND MANHATTAN”

WABC-TV: “15-YEAR-OLD GIRL SWIMS 28.5 MILES AROUND MANHATTAN TO RAISE MONEY FOR CANCER RESEARCH”

ABC “Good Morning America”: “15-YEAR-OLD MAYA MERHIGE SWAM AROUND THE ISLAND OF MANHATTAN”

ABC News Live: “ABC NEWS PRIME: SEARCH FOR PA FLOOD VICTIMS; AMERICA’S FORGOTTEN IMMIGRANTS; TEEN’S EPIC SWIM LAP”

PEOPLE: “15-YEAR-OLD GIRL TAKES 28.5-MILE SWIM AROUND MANHATTAN TO RAISE FUNDS FOR CANCER RESEARCH”

Access Daily Hollywood: “SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – SOCIAL STAR OF THE WEEK”

Swimmer’s Daily: “15-YEAR-OLD GIRL SWIMS 28.5 MILES AROUND MANHATTAN TO RAISE MONEY FOR CANCER RESEARCH”

Breitbart: “CALIFORNIA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT SWIMS 28.5 MILES AROUND MANHATTAN FOR CANCER RESEARCH”

Upworthy: “TEEN COMPLETES A 28.5-MILE SWIM AROUND MANHATTAN TO RAISE FUNDS FOR CANCER RESEARCH”

CNBC “MAKE IT”: “THIS 15-YEAR-OLD SWAM 28.5 MILES AROUND THE ISLAND OF MANHATTAN: ‘I DIDN’T KNOW THAT I WAS BREAKING RECORDS’”

The Sports Column: “TEEN CONQUERS SWIMMING CHALLENGE IN FUNDRAISER FOR CANCER RESEARCH”

Swimming World: “MAYA MERHIGE, 15, COMPLETES 20 BRIDGES SWIM AROUND MANHATTAN FOR CHARITY”

KTVU-TV (FOX, 2): “BERKELEY TEEN MARKS ANOTHER FEAT, BECOMING ONE OF THE YOUNGEST TO FINISH 28.5 MILE SWIM AROUND MANHATTAN”

WQAD-TV (ABC, 8): “15-YEAR-OLD SWIMS AROUND MANHATTAN, UNDER 20 BRIDGES TO RAISE MONEY FOR CANCER”

KTVU FOX2 San Francisco: “BERKELEY TEEN MAKES SWIMMING HISTORY”

Kaiwi (Molokai) Channel Swim – January 2023

SwimSwam: “27 HOURS LATER, 15-YEAR-OLD MAYA MERHIGE BECOMES YOUNGEST TO SWIM 28-MILE KAIWI CHANNEL”

Lake Tahoe – July 2022

KTVU FOX2 San Francisco: “14-YEAR-OLD BREAKS SWIMMING RECORD IN LAKE TAHOE”

Catalina Channel – September 2021

SwimSwam: “14-YEAR-OLD MAYA MERHIGE BECOMES YOUNGEST WOMAN TO SWIM ACROSS CATALINA CHANNEL”

SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – FAIRFIELD COUNTY IN THE NEWS

Posted on Posted in #DefeatCancer, #MakingWavesToFightCancer, Events, Fairfield County, Fundraising, NewsTagged , , , , , Leave a comment

Read or watch local stories featuring the Swim Across America – Fairfield County community to learn about their impact. Learn more about the event and beneficiary, Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy, at swimacrossamerica.org/fc.

SAASWIM.COM – Swim Across America blog

SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – FAIRFIELD COUNTY JUST BECAME PERSONAL FOR EVENT DIRECTOR, NANCY CARR

WCBS-2 (CBS 2TV)

Swim Across America event in Connecticut raises nearly $500K for cancer research

News12 Connecticut

Swim Across America Fairfield County raises $475,000 for cancer research

Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy Foundation

Make waves to fight cancer June 29 with Swim Across America and ACGT.

Hamlet Hub – Fairfield, CT

18th Annual Swim Across America Fairfield County Set for Sun. June 29

Greenwich Moms blog

18th annual Swim Across America – Fairfield County Open Water Swim ~ “Queen Willa” Kids’ Splash

Greenwich Free Press

Swim Across America – Fairfield County Open Water Event Adds Kids’ Splash, Raises Funds to Fight Cancer

Olympic Swimmer Donna de Varona to be honored at Swim Across America June 29

Swim Across America Open Water Swim Draws Hundreds to Long Island Sound

Greenwich Patch

Olympic Swimmer Donna de Varona Helps Make Waves to Fight Cancer

Greenwich Time

The Dish: Out there… The 18th annual Swim Across America – Fairfield County open water swim takes place next Saturday

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Donna de Varona on why she supports Swim Across America

Fairfield Neighbors

Fairfield resident Wendy Probert helps make waves to fight cancer

THE 24TH ANNUAL SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – NASSAU/SUFFOLK OPEN WATER SWIM WILL MAKE WAVES TO FIGHT CANCER ON AUGUST 3

Posted on Posted in #MakingWavesToFightCancer, #SwimAcrossAmerica, beneficiaries, event directors, Events, Making Waves With Hope, Nassau/Suffolk - Sound to Cove, Pool Swims, Top FundraisersTagged , , , , 1 Comment

On Saturday, August 3, hundreds of swimmers, volunteers, and supporters will come together to Make Waves to Fight Cancer at the 24th annual Swim Across America – Nassau/Suffolk open water swim. 

The community swim will be held at Pryibil Beach in Glen Cove, NY and offers multiple distance options for swimmers, as well as land and water volunteer roles. Swimmers of all ages can Make Waves to Fight Cancer by joining the Family Fun Swim. 

“The Swim Across America – Nassau/Suffolk community swims are a great opportunity for our friends, neighbors, and family to come together and make a real impact in the fight against cancer. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved over the years,” said Swim Across America – Nassau/Suffolk event director and Swim Across America board member, Kevin Shine.

Dr. Jedd Wolchok, of Weill Cornell Cancer Center, spoke at the 2023 SAA-Nassau/Suffolk open water swim.

Since its inception, the SAA-Nassau/Suffolk open water and pool swims have raised over $12 million for their beneficiaries. Proceeds from the 2024 events benefit cancer research, clinical trials, and cancer care programs at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, the Feinstein Institute at Northwell Health, MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital, and SHARE Cancer Support.

“We were grateful to extend our support to Weill Cornell Medicine in 2023 and support the Swim Across Research Laboratory at Weill Cornell Cancer Center, led by Dr. Taha Merghoub,” noted Kevin. 

Grants from the SAA-Nassau/Suffolk community swims have had an incredible impact on cancer research and breakthroughs. A current rectal cancer clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center led by Dr. Luis Diaz and Dr. Andrea Cercek saw the first 100% remission rate in the history of cancer.

Additionally, SAA-Nassau-Suffolk is proud to host the two top fundraising teams across all Swim Across America national events: Team Stacey and Team Carolyn. In 2023, the two teams raised over $560,000 combined. 

Team Stacey, named in honor of Stacey Leondis, has raised over $2.5 million since their first event in 2008. 

“We’ve grown from a team of 13 to over 85 team members, ranging in age from 6 months to 99 years old! This truly reflects Stacey’s ability to always connect and bring people together for a cause,” said Ellen Leondis, Stacey’s mother and captain of the team.

Team Stacey, Swim Across America’s top fundraising team of 2023, at the 2023 SAA-Nassau/Suffolk open water swim.

Team Carolyn has raised over $500,000 since their first event in 2022. Steven Chestler, the team’s captain, joined Swim Across America to honor his wife, Carolyn Jaenisch.

Team Carolyn, Swim Across America’s number two top fundraising team, at the 2023 SAA-Nassau/Suffolk open water swim.

“We started the team in honor of my wife, Carolyn Jaenisch, who was a marathon swimmer and beloved member of our community. The best way to honor her memory is to continue fighting this terrible disease while doing something she loved: swimming,” said Steven.

Swim Across America – Nassau-Suffolk open water swim offers a Family Fun Swim, ½-mile, 1-mile, 2-mile, 5K, and 10K course options for swimmers. Land and water volunteers are welcome to register to support the event. The community is also invited to join one of the many pool swims in New York. Find more info on the event page: swimacrossamerica.org/ns.

SWIM ACROSS AMERICA AND BLOCK CANCER PRESENT: EVENT DAY INSTAGRAM CONTEST

Posted on Posted in #DefeatCancer, #MakingWavesToFightCancer, #SwimAcrossAmerica, Events, UncategorizedLeave a comment

NEW FOR 2024! Swim Across America and Block Cancer are proud to partner to offer an amazing giveaway to one lucky participant from each of our community charity swims in 2024.

The rules are simple: participants should post their best photos showing their SAA spirit from the event on Instagram and tag @saaswim and @block.cancer.

A winner will be selected from each community. Each winner will receive a Block Cancer Ted hoodie and Army Green beanie. Winners will be contacted via DM from @saaswim.

ABOUT BLOCK CANCER

In July 2021, Elizabeth Beisel’s heart broke into a million pieces when her father lost his battle to pancreatic cancer. His name was Ted Beisel. Elizabeth organized a fundraising swim for cancer research with Swim Across America in honor of her father’s brutal fight with the disease. Her successful 20km (12.5mi) swim to Block Island called Block Cancer raised historic funds and awareness for cancer research. Today, Block Cancer is a brand that has been sold worldwide, and something we know Ted would be extremely proud of.

At Block Cancer, we are proud to say we donate 90% of net profits to cancer research and clinical trials through the non-profit Swim Across America.

Learn more at swimacrossamerica.org/blockcancer.

SWIMMERS MAKE WAVES TO FIGHT CANCER WITH SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – TAMPA BAY

Posted on Posted in #DefeatCancer, #MakingWavesToFightCancer, #SwimAcrossAmerica, Events, Fundraising, Junior Advisory Board, Making Waves With Hope, News, tampa, Uncategorized1 Comment

On Saturday, May 4, hundreds of swimmers, volunteers, and supporters will “Make Waves to Fight Cancer” at the 13th annual Swim Across America – Tampa Bay open water swim at North Shore Park, St. Petersburg, Florida Proceeds from the event benefit cancer research at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. Established in 2021, Swim Across America – Tampa Bay has raised over $2 million for cancer research and clinical trials.

Every participant has a special reason for attending the charity swim; whether it’s to honor a cancer survivor, swim in memory of a loved one, or experience the hope each community swim brings. 

For the second year in a row 16-year-old Kellen Murdock will swim one mile with his team Berkeley Aquatics. Kellen shared his personal connection to Swim Across America’s mission.

“I participated in Swim Across America – Tampa Bay last year in honor of my Dad. In 2019, he was diagnosed with stage 4 sinus cancer. The possibility of losing him was devastating,” shared Kellen. 

“I’m grateful that my dad has been in remission since completing treatment in June 2019. This was only possible thanks to the dedication of his team of oncologists.”

Kellen Murdock and his father embrace at the 2023 SAA-Tampa Bay event

Kellen took his dedication even further by joining the Swim Across America – Tampa Bay Junior Advisory Board this year. The group of high school students serve as ambassadors for Swim Across America in their community and pledge to raise awareness and funds in support of the cause. 

“Swim Across America is important to my family because of my dad’s experiences with cancer. We don’t want anyone to go through the same experiences we did with cancer and Swim Across America helps with that,” said Kellen.

Haley Campbell and Dr. Heather Pryor joined Swim Across America – Tampa Bay with a unique team name – Team Hakuna Ma-Tatas. The lighthearted name is a nod to Heather’s recent battle with breast cancer. 

The duo joined Swim Across America as a way to get back in the water, stay active, and give back to the community.

“We both have competed in some form, whether it be competitive swimming or triathlons, and we both wanted to get back in the water. For Heather, it was more than swimming. She had just finished heavy treatments for breast cancer and wanted to find a way to get active again,” said team captain, Haley.

“It seemed like a no-brainer. We both had a deep connection to cancer, so we could support cancer research, while doing something we love.”

Heather Pryor and Haley Campbell, Team Hakuna Ma-Tatas

Haley also shared that when she was five years old, her father was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia.

“At the time he was given three to five years to live. He looked the doctors dead in the eyes and said, ‘No, I WILL watch my kids graduate from high school,’” said Haley.

“Not only did he get to see us graduate high school, he saw my brother graduate from college. He passed away 16 years after he was diagnosed. I have no doubt that modern advances in cancer research – and his incredibly positive attitude – are the reasons that I was able to not only grow up with my daddy, but I was also able to make memories that I never would have been able to make.”

Like many Swim Across America participants, Heather loved that she could combine celebrating her recovery with giving hope to others fighting the same battle. 

“Through Swim Across America, I not only help myself recover from breast cancer treatments, but I can also help fund research to help others overcome cancer, too.

Heather has been a family physician for 25 years and has discovered cancer in many of her patients throughout her career. 

“I am swimming in honor of all the people who are currently fighting cancer and in memory of those who lost the battle. I am hopeful that my efforts help find a cure for cancer, so others will not have to endure what I and so many others have faced.”

To swim, volunteer or donate, visit swimacrossamerica.org/tampa. 

SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – BOSTON IN THE NEWS

Posted on Posted in #MakingWavesToFightCancer, #SwimAcrossAmerica, boston, college swimming, Events, News, Top Fundraisers, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Read or watch local stories featuring the Swim Across America-Boston community to learn about their impact. Learn more about the event and beneficiaries, MassGeneral Cancer Center and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at swimacrossamerica.org/boston.

SWIM ACROSS AMERICA BLOG – SAASWIM.COM

Presentation and Tour for SAA-Boston at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Doug Bosley, 2025: From Marathon Swims to His Toughest Challenge Yet

Rick Osterberg, 2024: RICK OSTERBERG SHARES HIS REMARKABLE JOURNEY AND DEEPENED COMMITMENT TO SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – BOSTON 

Dalton Sousa, 2023: FINDING A LIFELINE IN THE SWIM ACROSS AMERICA COMMUNITY

Boston Globe

Swim Across America raises $525,000 for cancer research at Dana-Farber, Mass General

Brattleborough Reformer

Doug Bosley’s cancer battle inspires others to join upcoming Swim Across America event

2024 Media Highlights

Boston Globe

Olympic swimmers, cancer survivor, team up to make waves against cancer at Castle Island in South Boston

WCBV-TV (ABC, 5)

Hundreds dive into water in Boston for cancer research

WHDH 7 News Boston

Swimmers flood Castle Island to raise money for cancer research

Boston 25 News

Swim Across America holding event at Castle Island to raise money for cancer research

Boston Herald

Fun at the beach and in the water: PHOTOS

2023 Media Highlights

Boston Globe

After mother’s cancer diagnosis, Carver man to swim 2 miles around Pleasure Bay for cancer research

iHeart Radio: WTAG Worchester; WHYN Springfield;
WXKS Boston; WXTK The Cape

Interview with Dalton Sousa

WBZ NewsRadio 1030

SAA-Boston Interview with Janel Jorgensen McArdle

SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – MOTOR CITY MILE IN THE NEWS

Posted on Posted in #DefeatCancer, Events, Family Tree, Fundraising, Labs, Motor City Mile, News, olympians, UncategorizedTagged , , , , , Leave a comment

Read or watch local stories featuring the Swim Across America-Motor City Mile community to learn about their impact. Learn more about the event and beneficiary, Rogel Cancer Center, at swimacrossamerica.org/detroit.

WWJ-TV (CBS)

5th annual Swim Across America – Motor City Mile

SWIM ACROSS AMERICA BLOG – SAASWIM.COM

“IT’S AMAZING WHAT SWIMMING TO RAISE MONEY FOR CANCER RESEARCH CAN REALLY DO!”

WJBK-TV (FOX, 2)

Cancer survivor raises money for research at Motor City Mile Swim

WDIV-TV (NBC, 4)

Metro Detroit swimmers make waves to fight cancer

The Macomb Daily

5th annual Swim Across America Motor City Mile set for Friday morning

C AND G NEWS

Swimming across America for a cure

SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – DENVER IN THE NEWS

Posted on Posted in #DefeatCancer, Events, Family Tree, Fundraising, Labs, News, olympians, UncategorizedTagged , , , , , Leave a comment

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

 

9News Denver

Swim Across America – June 26, 2023

Nicole Vanderpoel and Dr. Craig Forester

SWIM ACROSS AMERICA BLOG – SAASWIM.COM

DENVER TEEN TRIUMPHS OVER RARE SPINAL CORD CANCER DIAGNOSIS AND SERVES COMMUNITY AS SAA PATIENT AMBASSADOR

9News Denver

Swim Across America – July 17, 2023

Nicole Vanderpoel and Olympian Susan Williams

Mile High Magazine

Swim Across America – Denver – Radio interview with Nicole Vanderpoel