Category: #MakingWavesToFightCancer

Swim Across America Grants  $900,000 Toward First-of-Its-Kind Gene Editing Innovation

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Revolutionary CRISPR Gene Editing and Other Cell and Gene Therapy Editing Takes Center Stage in Finding Ways to Effectively Treat Cancer

Swim Across America, the nonprofit funding innovative clinical trials and patient-centered programs for cancer, is proud to announce the award of two $450,000 grants to two of its beneficiaries, Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy (ACGT) and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, to support the work of novel gene and base editing techniques used in advanced cancer research, including targeted therapies, immunotherapies and cellular therapies. The two-year grants will specifically support the work of scientific investigators Joseph Fraietta, PhD, at the University of Pennsylvania through ACGT, and Pietro Genovese, PhD, at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, for their work in groundbreaking cell and gene therapy cancer research. This financial support paves the way for more effective therapies across many cancer types including solid tumors, offering potential new hope for patients with hard to treat cancer types or limited treatment options.

“Gene editing, including CRISPR, are some of the most promising frontiers in cancer research allowing for advances in targeted therapies, immunotherapies, CAR-T cell therapy and early/minimal residual disease detection, diagnostics and cancer vaccines,” said Rob Butcher, CEO of Swim Across America. “These grants to Dr. Fraietta through ACGT, and Dr. Genovese at Dana-Farber, will help accelerate the advancement of potential gene-edited cancer treatments that could transform how we treat patients and their quality of life. Just as our previous funding has helped develop immunotherapy treatments that are saving lives today, we believe these pointed investments will help accelerate the next generation of cancer breakthroughs.”

Joseph Fraietta, PhD

Joseph Fraietta, PhD, through Swim Across America–Fairfield County beneficiary Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy, is developing an innovative “off-the-shelf” cell therapy for aggressive cancers. His research uses a precise gene-editing tool called a “base editor” to create more effective CAR T cells that can target cancers with KRAS mutations, found in 20-25% of all cancers including lung, colon and pancreatic cancer. His team is also developing “micropharmacies” – immune cells engineered to release powerful cancer-fighting signals directly at tumor sites while minimizing side effects.

Pietro Genovese, PhD

Pietro Genovese, PhD, at Dana-Farber, is taking a revolutionary approach to treating acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Rather than targeting cancer cells directly, his team is creating “stealth” healthy blood cells engineered to survive cancer treatments while allowing the selective elimination of cancer cells. This innovative strategy could provide less toxic treatment options for AML and other blood cancers where traditional therapies often harm healthy cells along with cancerous ones.

“With the current funding landscape and resources potentially constrained, nonprofit organizations play a vital role in ensuring innovative cancer research moves forward,” said Evan Vosburgh, MD, Research and Grants committee chair for Swim Across America. “These targeted grants support precisely the kind of high-risk, high-reward research that could revolutionize cancer treatment, but might otherwise go unfunded. By supporting early-stage research in cell and gene therapy, we’re helping bridge critical funding gaps and accelerating the development of potentially life-saving treatments.”

Swim Across America has raised more than $100 million for cancer research since its founding in 1987 and has a strong track record of funding transformative research, including clinical trials that led to FDA-approved immunotherapy medicines Keytruda, Opdivo, Yervoy and Tecentriq. The organization was also a grant funder of Memorial Sloan Kettering’s landmark clinical trial that achieved a 100% success rate treating advanced rectal cancer patients with dostarlimab.

About Swim Across America Swim Across America hosts open water and pool swims in numerous communities nationwide, from Nantucket to under San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. More than 150 Olympians support the organization, including Michael Phelps, Kate Douglass, Missy Franklin and Ryan Lochte. The organization supports more than 60 cancer research projects annually and has ten named Swim Across America Labs at major institutions nationwide. To learn more visit swimacrossamerica.org or follow on social media @SwimAcrossAmerica on Facebook and @SAASwim on Instagram.

SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – NASHVILLE IN THE NEWS

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Read or watch local stories featuring the Swim Across America-Nashville community to learn about their impact. Learn more about the event and beneficiary, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, at swimacrossamerica.org/nashville.

SAASWIM.COM – Swim Across America blog

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

WKRN News 2

Swim Across America – Nashville
Interview with Chris McPherson and Sarah Wiseman

Swim Across America event in Nashville raises $100K for cancer research

Lewis County Herald

Swimmers Dive In to Make Waves to Fight Cancer at 4th Annual Swim Across America – Nashville Pool Swim

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

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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

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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.

The Grieco-Routh family

“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

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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

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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 Welcomes Two New Board Members: Harry Wilcox and Tim Buttigieg

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Wilcox and Buttigieg Bring Biotech, Science, Financial, Hospitality and Real Estate Expertise to Help Grow Swim Across America’s Impact and Mission

Harry Wilcox and Tim Buttigieg have been appointed to the Swim Across America board of directors.

Swim Across America, a national nonprofit dedicated to funding cancer research and patient programs through funds raised with charity swims, is pleased to announce the appointment of two distinguished leaders to its board of directors: Harry Wilcox, a life sciences entrepreneur, and Tim Buttigieg, a hospitality and real estate executive. Their extensive backgrounds in science, business, finance and community engagement will help advance Swim Across America’s mission and expand its impact.

Wilcox, based in Boston, has spent more than 30 years in executive leadership roles in the biotech, life sciences and financial sectors. His career includes positions with Exact Sciences, Cambridge NeuroScience, Charles River Ventures, BG Medicine, and YourBio Health Inc. Most recently, he served as general partner with Flagship Pioneering, a $14 billion life sciences company creation firm, where he oversaw financial operations and investments in biotechnology, health, and sustainability companies, including Seahorse Bioscience, Indigo Agriculture, and Novomer.

“My college roommate Jim Meehan and my wife, Patricia Hambrick, are both Swim Across America participants who introduced me to the organization,” Wilcox said. “I admire the approach Swim Across America takes in awarding grants that drive innovation in cancer research and detection. At this stage in my life, I’m excited to offer my time, experience, and resources to make a meaningful impact on the mission of helping innovate new treatments for cancer. I am delighted to join the board and work closely with leadership in accomplishing this goal.”

Buttigieg, based in New York City, has an extensive background in hospitality and real estate. His career includes roles with Brookfield Asset Management and previously PwC. Additionally, he chairs Swim Across America’s associate board, a group of emerging leaders dedicated to supporting the organization’s mission. Buttigieg has been involved with Swim Across America for more than a decade, starting as a participant and fundraiser in his teenage years.

“The impact of Swim Across America’s grants has benefited individuals I personally know,” Buttigieg said. “As my professional career has grown, I’ve wanted to give back more to this community, and leading the associate board has been an honor. I look forward to continuing my contributions as a member of the board of directors.” Swim Across America CEO Rob Butcher welcomed both new board members, highlighting their expertise and dedication to the cause. “Harry has been a committed volunteer and supporter of Swim Across America, and his entrepreneur energy and relationships will help us make a bigger impact,” Butcher said. “Tim’s deep understanding of hospitality and customer experience aligns with our mission of offering best-in-class charity programs. His leadership of the associate board has brought in a new generation, and we are thrilled to have him join the board of directors.”

Founded in 1987, Swim Across America has raised more than $100 million to fight cancer. In its 37 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 hold charity swims each year, which support innovative cancer research, detection and patient programs. 

Swim Across America grants helped support the research and clinical trials for FDA approved immunotherapy medicines: Keytruda, Opdivo, Yervoy, and Tencentriq. 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 including: Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, John Hopkins Medicine Baltimore, Rush University Medical Center Chicago, Baylor Scott & White Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center in Dallas, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center New York, Infusion Center at Nantucket Cottage Hospital, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland and San Francisco, Fred Hutch Cancer Center, The Swim Across America Pediatric Research Lab at Columbia University Medical Center New York, and at Meyer Cancer Center at Weill Cornell Medicine.

To learn more about Swim Across America or to register for a community charity swim, you can visit swimacrossamerica.org.

Swim Across America – Seattle Shares 2024 Impact Report and Progress Updates

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For 15 years, Swim Across America has fueled innovative early-stage research at Fred Hutch Cancer Center and UW Medicine and helped launch the careers of dozens of young scientists. We’re proud to share details about the six most recent projects made possible through funds raised in 2022 and 2023 by Swim Across America – Seattle and the dedicated swimmers who participated. From improving patients’ quality of life to overcoming tumors’ resistance to immunotherapy, these innovative projects have the potential to dramatically enhance cancer treatment.

Inspired to Make Waves to Fight Cancer this year? Swim, volunteer or donate to SAA-Seattle at swimacrossamerica.org/seattle.

Kate Markey, MBBS, PhD, FRACP | Stem cell transplantation

Assistant Professor, Fred Hutch and UW Medicine

Project: Restoring the gut microbiome after blood stem cell transplant

Dr. Kate Markey

Background: Fred Hutch researchers have shown that while blood stem cell transplantation continues to be the most effective treatment for multiple myeloma, it can also severely damage patients’ gut microbiome, leading to strong gastrointestinal side effects and poor outcomes. Dr. Markey, a medical oncologist who studies the gut microbiome and its role in recovery from transplant, developed a study to examine whether a five-week, plant based, whole-food diet can restore patients’ beneficial gut bacteria and improve immune function and outcomes.

2024 progress statement: Dr. Markey and her colleagues opened the trial in October, and by the end of the following month they had enrolled seven patients, or one-third of their goal. They are collecting stool and blood samples and plan to analyze all of them once the trial is complete. If all goes as expected this summer they intend to use the resulting data to apply for a federal research grant to support a much larger, randomized clinical trial.

Alexandre Hirayama, MD  |  Blood cancers

Assistant Professor, Fred Hutch and UW Medicine

Project: Understanding how large B-cell lymphoma evades CAR T-cell therapy

Dr. Alexandre Hirayama

Background: Less than half of patients who undergo CAR T-cell therapy for large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) enjoy long-lasting remission. We’re not sure why, but the answer may lie in the tumor microenvironment. There’s still so much we don’t know about this collection of cells, stroma, and blood vessels that surround and support the tumor, including how it might suppress cancer therapies. Dr. Hirayama, who specializes in treating patients with B-cell malignancies, is studying the tumor microenvironment in minute detail to help identify and explain how patients’ tumors may mute CAR T cells’ effectiveness.

2024 progress statement: Dr. Hirayama has gathered the necessary tumor samples for these studies and refined the techniques and technologies that will allow him to study immune, stromal, and tumor cells in the tumor microenvironment. He expects to begin studying the samples in summer 2025.

Diane Tseng, MD, PhD  |  Lung cancer

Assistant Professor, Fred Hutch and UW Medicine

Project: Reducing inflammatory effects of immunotherapy in patients with lung cancer

Dr. Diane Tseng

Background: Many patients with lung cancer who are treated with checkpoint inhibitors experience a condition called checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis (CIP). If left untreated, CIP can cause irreversible damage. Recent research shows that immune cells called napsin A–specific T cells may be involved in mediating CIP. Dr. Tseng, an oncologist who specializes in treating patients with lung cancer, is working with McGarry Houghton, MD — a Fred Hutch and UW Medicine professor and holder of the Satya and Rao Remala Family Endowed Chair — to study napsin A–specific T cells’ role in CIP and exploring strategies for muting it.

2024 progress statement: Dr. Tseng’s work has focused on 1) developing a method for detecting napsin A– specific T cells in donor blood; 2) developing a method for taking those cells and growing more of them in the lab; and 3) creating a test to determine whether a different T cell can eliminate them. This work will establish the foundations for understanding the function of napsin A–specific T cells and the role they might play in CIP.

Emily Liang, MD  |  Blood cancers

Hematology/oncology Fellow, Fred Hutch and UW Medicine

Project: Mitigating serious side effects of CAR T-cell therapies in patients with blood cancers

Dr. Emily Liang

Background: While CAR T-cell therapy has revolutionized treatment for patients with blood cancers like lymphoma and multiple myeloma, it also comes with a high risk of fever, fatigue, body aches, and even neurologic impairment. Though these conditions are reversible, they can be life-threatening and prevent older and frailer patients from receiving CAR T-cell therapy at all. Dr. Liang, who specializes in acute leukemias and CAR T-cell therapy, and her mentor, Jordan Gauthier, MD, MSC, a Fred Hutch and UW professor and former Swim Across America funding recipient, want to make these treatments accessible to a wider range of patients. So, the pair launched a first of-its-kind trial to study whether a drug typically prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis called anakinra can prevent these inflammatory responses.

2024 progress statement: After treating more than 30 patients in their clinical trial, Drs. Liang and Gauthier found that prophylactic administration of anakinra did not seem to be effective in preventing cytokine release syndrome, a side effect associated with a high level of inflammation in the blood. However, prophylactic anakinra did seem to reduce the severity and duration of neurologic side effects as well as the need for steroids. Importantly, Drs. Liang and Gauthier also found that anakinra may impair the treatment’s effectiveness against tumors. Now, the pair are planning to study how anakinra mitigates inflammation in the brain, whether there may be alternative prevention strategies, and how anakinra impacts CAR T-cell function.

Saurav Kumar, PhD  |  Colorectal cancer

Postdoctoral Fellow, Fred Hutch

Project: Exploring new uses for existing drugs to treat colorectal cancer

Dr. Saurav Kumar

Background: Colorectal cancer is one of several cancers driven by a process called gene fusion, in which two independent genes combine incorrectly and begin producing proteins that can lead to cancer. And though a range of drugs have been developed to target these fusions and stop the mechanism that promotes cancer growth, they’ve so far been ineffective against colorectal cancer. However, Dr. Kumar, who studies metastasis, recently discovered that patients with colon cancer who receive TRK inhibitors (TRKi) experience a drop in TRK fusion protein levels, suggesting that these inhibitors may be degrading the cancer-causing fusion proteins. He plans to study the interaction that causes this protein degradation with the goal of one day using TRKi to create more effective therapies for patients with this form of cancer.

2024 progress update: Dr. Kumar and his colleagues have developed three protein degraders, called PROTACs, based on an FDA-approved TRKi. Now they plan to begin testing them on colorectal cancer cells in the lab to better understand the mechanism that leads to TRK fusion protein degradation — which could one day inform the development of targeted therapies for patients with these cancers.

Yapeng Su, PhD  |  Pancreatic cancer

Postdoctoral Fellow, Fred Hutch

Project: Overcoming solid tumors’ resistance to immunotherapies

Dr. Yapeng Su

Background: Pancreatic cancer is notoriously difficult to treat. Though we’ve found a protein on tumor cells that would seemingly make for a good immunotherapy target, treatments that have been studied and validated in the lab fail in patients — likely due to unique characteristics of the tumor microenvironment. Using technology that allows us to see the interaction of cells within tumors and better understand how they influence one another, Dr. Su, who studies adoptive cellular immunotherapy, is examining the mechanisms that cause immunotherapies to fail and exploring techniques to overcome them.

2024 progress statement: After completing a detailed study of samples from tumors previously treated with adoptive T cell therapy, Dr. Su found that they contained several cell types that were both potentially immunosuppressive and arranged in distinct patterns throughout the tumor microenvironment. He also identified several subtypes of T cells (whose role is to attack cancer cells) that no longer functioned properly. In the coming months, Dr. Su plans to further analyze the T-cell subtypes and their placement within the tumor microenvironment to better understand why they stop working. What he finds could one day help us better engineer T cells to overcome those immunosuppressive forces.

Swim Across America Presents the ASCA 2025 World Clinic Scholarship

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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.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS OF THE 2024 SWIM ACROSS AMERICA COLLEGE CUP

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Swim Across America (SAA) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2024 SAA College Cup. More than 45 collegiate, club, and alumni teams and over 1,400 participants all united to make waves in the fight against cancer through swimming and friendly competition. 

Swim Across America awarded the top fundraising team, the top collegiate fundraiser, and a bonus team chosen at random. 

Congrats to the top fundraising team, Team Tar Heel! The top team is led by co-captains, Georgia Nel and Sue Walsh, and raised more than $96,000. Funds raised by Team Tar Heel supported the Swim Across America – Carolina community.

Team Tar Heel from the SAA-Carolina community is the winner of the Swim Across America College Cup. Congrats!

For Olympian and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill alum, Sue Walsh, Swim Across America’s mission is deeply personal. 

“My involvement became even more personal when I heard the words myself, ‘You have metastatic colon cancer.’ As someone who spent most of her life committed to the sport of swimming, it made perfect sense to partner with SAA in the fight against cancer, including my own.”

Congrats to the top collegiate fundraiser, Alyssa Corb, who raised over $24,000! Alyssa is a student at the University of Tennessee, Swim Across America – Nashville co-event director, and long-time supporter of Swim Across America – Baltimore. Over the years, Alyssa and her family have raised more than $200,000.

Alyssa Corb and her mother, Jennifer, at the 2024 SAA-Nashville community swim.

“My main inspiration for swimming is my brother Michael, who passed away from mixed lineage leukemia when he was nine months old,” shared Alyssa.

“I was 2 when he was born and 3 when he was diagnosed and died. I don’t remember every second but I do remember loving every minute with him, and his face lighting up whenever I walked into his room. To me, Swim Across America is not just about raising money to find a cure, it’s to honor and remember those who fought their battle and prevent other parents, siblings, and families from going through the loss of a loved one.”

SAA also recognized a collegiate team chosen through a random drawing: Providence College Swimming and Diving team from Providence Rhode Island. The team of more than 100 swimmers raised more than $64,000 and were awarded a Vasa Trainer Pro. Funds raised by the team from Providence College Swimming and Diving supported Swim Across America – Rhode Island.

The Swim Across America College Cup was announced in 2023 and invited college teams, athletes, and alumni to join the organization’s mission of funding cancer research, clinical trials, and patient care programs through community charity swims. Teams participated by registering for one of Swim Across America’s open water charity swims, joining or starting a pool swim, or participating virtually through the SAA My Way program. Participants affiliated with a U.S-based college or university were eligible to compete in the College Cup. Teams consisted of current college students, alumni, or a mix of both, and could be small as one person.

The Swim Across America College Cup was supported through partnerships with CSCAA, Vasa, and GoSwim. 

About Swim Across America

Swim Across America, Inc. (SAA) is dedicated to raising money and awareness for cancer research, prevention, and treatment through swimming-related events. With the help of hundreds of volunteers nationwide and past and current Olympians, Swim Across America is helping find a cure for cancer through athleticism, community outreach and direct service. To learn more visit swimacrossamerica.org or follow on Facebook @SwimAcrossAmerica or on Instagram @SAASwim.

About CSCAA

Founded in 1922, the CSCAA is the nation’s first professional coaching association for intercollegiate athletics. The CSCAA boasts more than 2,000 member coaches and assistant coaches, recognizes All-American swimmers and divers, NCAA record-breakers and Scholar All-America athletes and teams, as well as outstanding coaches and contributors, and helps oversee the welfare of collegiate swimming and diving. Learn more about CSCAA at cscaa.org.

About Vasa

Vasa empowers swimmers, surfers, and triathletes to become stronger, better, faster in sports, fitness, and injury rehab. Vasa offers specific equipment such as swim ergometers, trainers, sport benches and other accessories to provide athletes with safe, effective training methods. Founded by Rob Sleamaker, an acclaimed exercise physiologist and author, who has worked with Olympians, biathletes, and triathletes as well as some of the world’s most respected swim coaches to reinvent their training practices. Learn more about Vasa at vasatrainer.com.

About GoSwim

GoSwim creates content that helps people of all ages and backgrounds to swim better and reach their full potential in the sport. GoSwim’s videos are acclaimed and unsurpassed for clarity of filming and clarity of content and commentary. GoSwim was founded in 2002 by Olympian Glenn Mills and business colleague Barbara Hummel. Learn more at goswim.tv.