The September 14th Open Water Swim at Lake Ray Hubbard Raises Crucial Dollars for Cancer Research Benefiting Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center
The 14th annual Swim Across America – Dallas open water swim, dedicated to making waves to fight cancer by raising funds for crucial cancer research through swimming events, is scheduled for Saturday, September 14, 2024, at Lake Ray Hubbard, located at 2055 Summer Lee Drive in Rockwall, Texas. Swimmers can choose between swimming ½–mile, 1-mile or 2-miles, or participate ini their own way by supporting the organization virtually with SAA My Way. Established in 2011, this family-friendly fun swim has raised more than $3 million for its local beneficiary, the Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center, helping to support groundbreaking cancer care in Dallas.
The Dallas swim brings together more than 450 swimmers, volunteers, spectators, and supporters, along with Olympians from near and far, all united in the mission to make a difference in the fight against cancer. The goal for this year’s swim is to raise $200,000, and participants are already rallying around this cause.
Leading the fundraising efforts is Team Fabulous, captained by cancer survivor Robyn Starnes, who has raised an incredible $14,300 so far. Robyn, diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2014, has been cancer-free for nearly a decade and is passionate about giving back.
“This is my 3rd year participating in the 1-mile open water swim with Swim Across America, and I’m excited to make an even bigger fundraising SPLASH this year,” noted Robyn. “To celebrate 10 years of being cancer-free, I’m going BIG and hoping to raise $10,000. Everyone sadly knows someone who has been affected by cancer in some way — whether personally, a family member, friend, coworker, or even your favorite bartender. Wouldn’t it be amazing to be part of the generation that turns the corner in the fight? What if, after hearing ‘You have cancer’ — the three scariest words I’ve ever been told — the next three words you hear are, ‘And there’s hope.’”
Another top fundraising team, Team Fast Fins Elite, captained by Cody Lavoie, has raised more than $4,000 so far. Cody joined Swim Across America because he believes in the organization’s mission and wants to help give more families hope. “If you are able, please support Swim Across America by making a donation and help us reach our fundraising goal,” Cody urged.
Those interested in swimming or volunteering (land and water volunteers needed) or donating to support the cause, should visit swimacrossamerica.org/dallas.
800+ swimmers and volunteers come together for New England’s largest ocean swim event to support cancer research at Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island
Swim Across America – Rhode Island is Making Waves to Fight Cancer by celebrating the 15th anniversary of its open water swim on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at Roger Wheeler State Beach, in the protective waters of the Point Judith Harbor of Refuge in scenic Narragansett, Rhode Island. This event is Swim Across America’s largest in the country, with more than 800 participants and three dozen fundraising teams — half from New England colleges — uniting to support promising cancer research at Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island (WIH), the local event beneficiary.
There are four swim options: a one-mile or half-mile course for ages 13 and up (younger swimmers require approval), a quarter-mile course for ages 9 to 12, and a new Splash & Dash for ages 12 and under. Alternatively, you can support the event as a SAA My Way virtual participant or onsite volunteer. To register for the event in any of these capacities or to donate visit swimacrossamerica.org/rhodeisland.
In the past 15 years, Swim Across America – Rhode Island has raised more than $2.5 million for ovarian and breast cancer research. This funding has helped researchers at the WIH Program in Women’s Oncology Center for Biomarkers & Emerging Technology Program discover a biomarker for ovarian cancer and introduce to clinical practice an algorithm that estimates with specificity the risk of ovarian cancer in women with a pelvic mass. This test is now used worldwide and is a game changer for women with ovarian cancer, which is notoriously difficult to diagnose at an early stage when it is most treatable. This research has since expanded to study the function of the biomarker within cancer cells and the use of novel therapeutics that target the biomarker. Find more information here.
“Everyone who supports Swim Across America can be proud of the collective impact we’ve had on cancer research and treatment breakthroughs,” said Douglas Sayles, co-director of the Swim Across America – Rhode Island event. “Sadly, cancer touches everyone one way or another, but the research we fund and the sense of community we create through our events provide hope that real strides are being made toward new and better treatments. That’s the spirit of Swim Across America … there is hope.”
On Saturday, September 7, hundreds of swimmers will Make Waves to Fight Cancer at the 16th annual Swim Across America – Seattle community swim. One of the swimmers diving in is 57-year-old Kristin Lamson of Olympia, Washington. Kristin is a breast cancer survivor and has been participating in the SAA – Seattle open water swim with her family and friends that make up “Team Pisty” for the past nine years.
“I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015,” noted Kristin. “I found Swim Across America in 2016, amidst multiple surgeries and treatment. I was a swimmer growing up and was looking to feel like myself. The Swim Across America – Seattle swim was a welcome reminder that my body could still do things and be strong. That first year, I was flanked by my older sister Jen and my younger brother Johnny. We didn’t know much about Swim Across America – but we were both blown away and inspired by the event and the other survivors/families/friends swimming and their personal stories. I was a puddle! But it felt good and it was fun, despite being pretty emotional.”
Kristin Lamson, of Team Pisty, proudly shows off her “Survivor” tattoo at a Swim Across America – Seattle event.
Kristin and her family were so energized by their first swim with SAA – Seattle that they returned the next year with a bigger perspective and bigger crew, including their younger sister Julie, and kids, nieces and nephews, spouses and friends.
“My sister and co-captain Julie has become a driving force for our team,” said Kristin. “She is our most successful fundraiser and travels all the way from Massachusetts every year to participate. As a person with developmental disabilities, her leadership and determination to conquer the challenges of open water swimming, along with her unwavering enthusiasm, are especially inspiring to all of us.”
Team Pisty at the 2019 SAA-Seattle event.
This year, Team Pisty is back with Kristin’s siblings, family and friends and will be swimming not only to celebrate Kristin’s survivorship, but also in honor of their cousin Nancy, who is currently battling cancer, and in memory of their cousin Cheryl, whom they lost to cancer in 2019.
Raising funds for cancer research is the primary goal of the swim. In its past 15 years, SAA – Seattle has raised more than $5 million for the swim’s local beneficiary, the Fred Hutch Cancer Center, which has gone directly to fund early stage research and clinical trials.
“Our small, but mighty team has raised close to $60,000 over the years,” exclaimed Kristin. “For me personally, paying it forward is my way of expressing gratitude to all those who came before me to raise money for research and treatments. I am a survivor because others stepped up.”
Kristin also noted that participating in the SAA – Seattle open water swim has given her family an opportunity to celebrate and honor many loved ones who have experienced the pain and loss of cancer. “We also have created some fun family traditions around the swim: a pasta feed the night before, bloodies on the beach, and a massive sleepover and food shindig at sister Jen’s (and husband Ric’s) house post-swim. We have had fish fries, seafood boils, taco nights and more! Having fun while doing good is a family thing!”
If you are moved to support Team Pisty, click here.
Swim Across America – Seattle is proud to note the recent accomplishments of two of their funded researchers. Fred Hutch Cancer Center and Kugel Lab postdoctoral fellow Stephanie Dobersch, PhD, received an American Cancer Society Fellowship to study a highly lethal form of pancreatic cancer, known as basal pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA). Dr. Dobersch’s two-year, $146,000 ACS Fellowship will enable her to understand how a unique genetic program drives basal PDA and discover the subtype’s potential therapeutic vulnerabilities. Dr. Emily Liang received the ASCO Young Investigator Award for her research on a therapy that tunes a patient’s own immune system to better fight cancer. A clinical trial is underway testing whether a medication used in rheumatoid arthritis can reduce the inflammation of CAR T-cell therapy. Dr. Liang will use her one-year, $50,000 to fund experiments on samples from blood and lymph node tumors collected during the clinical trial.
Read or watch local stories featuring the Swim Across America-Seattle community to learn about their impact. Learn more about the event and beneficiary, Fred Hutch Cancer Center at swimacrossamerica.org/seattle.
Read or watch local stories featuring the Swim Across America-Nassau/Suffolk community to learn about their impact. Learn more about the event and beneficiaries at swimacrossamerica.org/ns.
This summer, George Sushkoff and his family took a special vacation to Southern California. Why was it so special?
“Our vacation was originally scheduled for last summer, but we had to postpone it because I was in treatment for colon cancer,” said George. “I’m thankful to be in good health this summer and able to share these wonderful memories with my family.”
In April 2023, George was diagnosed with Stage 1 to Stage 2 colon cancer. George had participated in Swim Across America – Richmond since 2019, and was familiar with the organization and its mission. After his diagnosis, he knew exactly who to turn to for support.
“One of my close friends contacted Rob Butcher, CEO of Swim Across America, and told him my story. By lunchtime that day, I had received a call from Rob to discuss my diagnosis and next steps. By dinnertime the following day, I received a call from a nurse liaison at VCU Massey Cancer Center, who said they wanted to help,” shared George.
“The amount of support I received from my swimming community and from Swim Across America was unbelievable.”
George Sushkoff joins Swim Across America – Richmond as a swimmer and survivor this year.
George met with doctors at Virginia Cancer Institute (VCI) and VCU Massey to discuss treatment options. Though he received treatment at VCI, he felt that both centers were collaborating on his care.
“It was comforting to know I had the support of both VCI and VCU Massey. They weren’t fighting over who got to treat me – though they should have,” George jokes. “They were focused on my health and well-being, and me coming out of this a survivor.”
George Sushkoff, center, at the 2023 SAA-Richmond community swim.
On December 1, 2023, George received his final chemo treatment and on December 23, he had an exam with his surgeon. Scar tissue had formed where the tumor was and George couldn’t have been happier.
“Where the tumor was. The tumor was completely gone! This is considered a full clinical response. I’m not gonna lie, it was an emotional day,” said George.
From that day on, George’s journey is full of joyous and celebratory milestones.
January 8, 2024: George met all the criteria for being considered in remission.
March 25, 2024: The portacath used for chemotherapy treatments was removed.
April 30, 2024: Stopped taking Eliquis, a blood thinner, and the final medication George was prescribed.
May 11, 2024: George competed in the Downriver Rip, a 4.4 mile swim in the James River.
May 26, 2024: George competed in the Reston Lake Swim 1-mile and 2-mile events, placing first in his age group in each event.
June 16, 2024: George competed in the Virginia Beach Lifeguard Association 1-mile swim, placing first in his age group.
June 22, 2024: George participated in the Ocean View Mermaid Festival 2-mile open water swim.
“I was first in my age group for the Mermaid Festival swim, but to be transparent, they did not issue awards. Maybe next year.” joked George.
August 25, 2024: Next up, George will swim in the 6th annual Swim Across America – Richmond community swim at Quest Swimming in Midlothian, Virginia. The community has raised over $320,000 to support their beneficiary, VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center since 2019.
Since 2021, George and his team, Team River City, have raised $90,000 and have a goal of raising $30,000 this year.
“Looking back on everything I’ve been through this past year, I’m feeling great. I am completely off medications and survived this awful disease. This year’s SAA-Richmond swim will be even more special in my eyes,” said George.
If you are moved to support George and Team River City, you can donatehere.
Denver residents Sarah Thomas and Garrett Rymer are at two opposite spectrums when it comes to their swimming. Sarah Thomas is an ultra marathon swimmer and world record holder who has swam the English Channel, Lake Champlain, the North Channel, Lake Tahoe and Lake Mead, among other marathon length swims. Garret Rymer is a 17-year-old amateur swimmer who just started swimming a few years ago.
Both however are joined together through a common goal of making waves to fight cancer as they are both cancer survivors. Sarah and Garrett will be joining hundreds of other swimmers at the seventh annual Swim Across America – Denver open water swim on Saturday, August 17. The swim raises crucial cancer research funds for Swim Across America’s local beneficiary Children’s Hospital Colorado.
Sarah Thomas at the 2019 SAA-Denver community swim.
Sarah has supported Swim Across America since 2018, when the inaugural Swim Across America – Denver swim was held in her home community. As a breast cancer survivor, she knows how important it is to raise money for cancer research and bring hope and new treatment options to others.
“I was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer in 2017 at the age of 35,” said Sarah. “It was a terrifying time and we didn’t know how much my treatments would impact my ability to swim in the future. Being able to partner with Swim Across America combines two of my passions: open water swimming and doing everything I can to fight cancer so that others won’t have to go through what I went through.”
A year after completing treatments, she did the impossible – becoming the first person to complete a four-way crossing of the English Channel. Though Sarah holds many records in open water swimming, in her words, she doesn’t swim to “be the first.” She swims large bodies of water because she loves seeing the beauty in each corner of the world.
“Cancer treatments tested me in a way I never thought possible,” noted Sarah. ”Despite undergoing chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy, I never gave up on my dream of doing a swim that most people thought was impossible.”
Last summer, Sarah did it again, becoming the first person to successfully swim the entire length of Lake Mead – 47.5 miles. “After my first visit to the Hoover Dam in 2021, I knew I had to swim across Lake Mead,” said Sarah. Through that swim, Sarah raised close to $10,000 for crucial cancer research.
In 2022, then 15-year-old Garrett Rymer was in a minor bicycle accident that shockingly led to a diagnosis of a rare form of spinal cord cancer. Despite such a life-changing event, Garrett joined Swim Across America – Denver last year for the first time. As an official Children’s Hospital Colorado Swim Across America patient ambassador, this will be Garrett’s second year swimming to make waves to fight cancer with Swim Across America – Denver.
“On December 23, 2022, I was diagnosed with a rare form of spinal cord cancer,” said Garrett Rymer. “Leading up to the diagnosis, I had been involved in a minor bike accident in which I broke my right arm. Though the bone healed quickly, the atrophy from not using my arm progressed for months, despite ongoing physical therapy. Confused by the unchanging weakness, my doctors put me through a series of medical tests, culminating in the MRI at the Children’s Hospital Colorado that led to my diagnosis.”
Garrett Rymer, a 17-year-old cancer survivor, is a patient ambassador for SAA-Denver.
As part of Garrett’s recovery from surgery and treatment, he started swimming. “Garrett has not let his diagnosis hinder his spirit. After undergoing surgery to remove 50 percent of the tumor on his spinal cord, and spending three weeks recovering in the Children’s Hospital rehabilitation center, Garrett was back on his feet and even went climbing the same day he was discharged,” noted Garrett’s dad Andrew Rymer.
“A few weeks after my surgery, I met with a neuro-oncologist to discuss the treatment plan for what remained of my cancer,” noted Garrett. “It was recommended that I participate in a clinical trial with an emerging type of chemotherapy that replaced weekly infusions with a twice-daily pill. The side-effects were less severe than those of conventional chemo, and I was blessed to be able to keep my hair and live my life relatively unhindered by my treatment.”
“Now, two and half years after his cancer diagnosis, we are extremely grateful for Garrett’s progress and prognosis,” noted his father Andrew Rymer. “We are also acutely aware of the importance of pediatric cancer research made possible by Swim Across America’s contributors. Garrett continues to receive quarterly evaluations at Children’s Hospital in Denver with favorable results; his cancerous tumor and kyphosis (spinal curve) remain stable and unchanged since completion of chemotherapy. He also continues to see improvement in his right arm strength following a nerve transfer operation at the Mayo Clinic last year. Garrett’s neuro-oncologist (who is mindful not to convey false hopes) stated that he’d be surprised if this cancer returned. You can imagine just how encouraged and hopeful we are!!”
Andrew also remarked, “We’re equally grateful for Garrett’s high spirits and his unfailing interest in, well just about everything… faith, friends, camping, academics, 4-wheeling, and community service. Garrett finished his junior year at Cherry Creek High School with astounding results, and he has a very ambitious academic outlook for his senior year and beyond. His summer plans are filled with fun and ambitious endeavors— overlanding (formerly known as 4 wheeling), training with the Arapahoe Search and Rescue Patrol, and EMT training, to name a few. We are deeply inspired by Garrett’s commitment to helping others affected by cancer. Garrett continues to serve as a Patient Ambassador for Swim Across America, Make A Wish Foundation, and Shining Stars.”
Garret will be swimming 2-miles this year at the August 17th Swim Across America – Denver swim and will be joined by his father Andrew and his girlfriend, who is also a pediatric cancer survivor.
“We are really excited about this year’s Swim Across America – Denver open water swim and being able to honor and cheer on cancer survivors like Sarah and Garrett. They are the reason why we swim,” said Nicole Vanderpoel, co-event director for Swim Across America – Denver.
To date, the Denver swim has raised $1 million and supports three research projects at the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s Hospital Colorado. “We are really proud of this work,” said Nicole. “And the fact that money raised locally stays local with our support of Children’s Hospital Colorado.”
Read or watch local stories featuring the Swim Across America-Long Island Sound community to learn about their impact. Learn more about the event and beneficiaries, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Columbia University Cancer Center, Cancer Support Team and Weill Cornell Medical Center, at swimacrossamerica.org/long_island.
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.
Read or watch local stories featuring the Swim Across America-Chicago community to learn about their impact. Learn more about the event and beneficiary, Rush Medical Center, at swimacrossamerica.org/chicago.
Swim Across America 