SAA EVENT DIRECTORS ARE AWE-INSPIRING

Each Swim Across America Event Director is inspiring in their own way. It’s incredible to see the hard work of a couple get widespread recognition this month. We can’t think of a better group to feature. Don’t forget to thank your local Event Director today and sign up to volunteer to help!

SUSAN HELMRICH – SAA – SAN FRANCISCO BAY

KITTY TETREAULT – SAA – BOSTON/SAA – RHODE ISLAND

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ARTICLE FROM MASSGENERAL HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN

SAA Funding Contributes to FDA Approval of KEYTRUDA

For the first time, the FDA has approved a drug—KEYTRUDA—for cancer-based disease genetics rather than the site of a tumor. KEYTRUDA now can be used for colon, pancreatic, stomach, ovarian and other cancers if genetic testing reveals defects in so-called mismatch repair. The clinical trials for KEYTRUDA were conducted at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute. The testimonial letter from Johns Hopkins acknowledges that in 2009, Swim Across America was the first organization to believe in the KEYTRUDA research project and provide grant funding for KEYTRUDA clinical trials. In total, over $2.6 million in proceeds from SAA—Baltimore have funded clinical trials and lifesaving research at Johns Hopkins.
Merck issued a press release quoting Swim Across America for providing grant funding for KEYTRUDA clinical trials that helped lead to FDA approval:
“Swim Across America’s mission is to help advance cancer research,” said Rob Butcher, CEO of Swim Across America. “We are honored that our organization supported some of the initial research conducted by Dr. Diaz and team, which has now contributed to the approval of KEYTRUDA for this new indication.”
As a Swim Across America supporter, it’s important you know the impact of our cause. Testimonials from our beneficiaries are published and we encourage you share them with your supporters.
 
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Dr. Luis Diaz at SAA – Baltimore Open Water Swim

SAA Debuts Under Armour WaveMaker gift for 2017

Swim Across America is excited to celebrate our 30th Anniversary with an Under Armour-branded 1/4 zip pullover for all WaveMakers that raise at least $1,000.

This is your chance to go the extra mile and join the exclusive WaveMaker club. You’ll get the chance to show your SAA pride year-round with this all-weather pullover. Register today and set your fundraising goal to WaveMaker!

Fundraisers that hit their WaveMaker goal will also receive a $30 Finis gift card in honor of our 30th Anniversary and a WaveMaker car window decal as well. This is the year to set your goals higher to WaveMaker status!

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SAA – Tampa Hits $1 Million Donated to Moffitt Cancer Center

Unsafe ocean conditions moved SAA – Tampa to the indoor pool. The event still made waves for Moffitt Cancer Center and raise over $200,000 to fight cancer and hit the $1 million cumulative fundraising mark.

Enjoy video from the event below and thanks to all participants, volunteers and donors for helping achieve such an impressive total! See everyone at Clearwater Beach in 2018!

SAA Kicks Off in Charlotte

The Swim Across America – Charlotte swim held its kickoff event at Levine Cancer Institute on April 6th. The Charlotte swim community, including USA Swimming Women’s Coach David Marsh, learned about the SAA mission from LCI doctors and researchers as well as cancer survivors including collegiate swimmer Alex Marshall.

Marshall, a swimmer at Queens College, was recently featured on CNN for her courageous battle to get back in the pool.

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The inaugural Charlotte open water swim is September 23rd at the Lake Norman YMCA. Spread the word and register a team today!

FINIS Partners on WaveMaker Incentive

FINIS is celebrating SAAs 30th anniversary by offering a $30 gift card to all WaveMakers. WaveMakers are fundraisers that generate $1,000 in donations. In 2016, there were 1,300 WaveMakers so FINIS is donating $39,000 in gift cards. The cards will be handed onsite to WaveMakers during check in for your swim. This is just one of the perks of being a WaveMaker in 2017! Get registered now and aim high for WaveMaker recognition!

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Pool Swims Across America (March 2017)

In Pool Swims Across America, we feature local pool swims that raise awareness for cancer research. If you’re interested in getting your local swim team or pool involved, learn more here.

Ranney Panthers Swim for a Cure (Feb 18th) — Tinton Falls, NJ

Led by junior Matthew Chang, the Ranney Panthers Swim for a Cure raised $3,500.

 

THANKSwimming FOR A CURE Pool Swim (Feb 26th) — New York, NY

Matthew Lipton raised over $5,000 for his Mitzvah project and continued the pool swim tradition that his sister started 6 years ago in memory of their grandmother.

 

 

Patty Brummet Bikes Across America to Make Waves for SAA

A dream come true – A promise kept – An incredible journey

Patty Brummet is preparing for her third bike trek across the United States to support Swim Across America. Her journey of 3,160 miles begins March 5 in San Diego and ends on May 2 in St. Augustine, FL. The fight to cure cancer inspires her dream to bike America.

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Patty waited until she was retired to start chasing her lifelong dream of biking across America.  After a hiatus in 2016 due to a training accident, Patty is back to complete this feat a third time to benefit SAA – Chicago and Rush University Cancer Center.

She rides with a special jersey with names on the back to remember and honor cancer patients which she began compiling in 2014.  “In 2015 I added 50 more names. In 2016 I added 31 more names. I wore this jersey on the most challenging days,” Patty wrote.

A swimmer as well, this is Patty’s 13th year participating in SAA – Chicago. She has personally raised over $81,000 for cancer research, prevention, and treatment and has a goal of $15,000 in 2017 (as of March 6, Patty has raised $13,481).

If you’re inspired by Patty Brummet’s ride, you can donate here or  follow her adventure through her personal blog.

 

25 Years of SAA – Long Island Sound History

2017 will mark SAA – Long Island Sound’s 25th year raising money to fight cancer through research, as well as provide for those who are going through treatment. We give thanks to all of you who have partnered with us throughout the years to make this event such a success. Below is a compilation of all historical photos, videos and flyers. We hope you’ll join us again this year to celebrate our 25th Anniversary. All historical photo albums can be found here.

2009:

2010:

2011:

2012:

2013:

2014:

2015:

2016:

 

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2017 Captain’s Dinner Kickoff

Hard SAA Work Pays Off at Beneficiary Check Presentations

Swim Across America celebrated the end of the year across the country by presenting checks to our esteemed beneficiaries. Here is a collection of smiling faces as the hard fundraising work is now seeing its impact multiplied in the fight against cancer.

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SAA – Tampa at Moffitt Cancer Center
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SAA – Dallas at Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center
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SAA – Nantucket at Nantucket Cottage Hospital and Palliative and Support Care of Nantucket
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SAA – Seattle at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance
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SAA – Baltimore at The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins