250 Swimmers and Volunteers will Dive in at Exciting New Location to Raise Funds for the Swim’s Beneficiary MD Anderson Cancer Center
Swim Across America, a national nonprofit dedicated to raising funds for cancer research through swimming events, is thrilled to announce the 6th annual Swim Across America – Houston open water swim on Saturday, October 5, 2024. This year’s swim will take place at a new location, the popular Margaritaville Lake Conroe in Montgomery, Texas, which also hosted an earlier pool swim in May. Swimmers of all ages and abilities are encouraged to participate, choosing between a 1/2-mile, 1-mile, or 2-mile swim to support vital cancer research and clinical trials at Swim Across America – Houston’s local beneficiary, MD Anderson Cancer Center. Swimmers and volunteers can register at swimacrossamerica.org/houston or those who wish to donate can do so as well.
Since its founding in 2019, Swim Across America – Houston has raised more than $340,000 for MD Anderson Cancer Center. Each year, the event brings together more than 250 swimmers, volunteers, Olympians, and supporters who join forces to make waves in the fight against cancer.
One of the swim’s most inspiring participants is Rob McLaren, the top fundraiser and leader of the “Shell Smashes Cancer” team. Rob recently completed the impressive 12-mile width of Lake Tahoe in just a speedo, raising funds for MD Anderson to improve treatments for Glioblastoma, a highly aggressive form of brain cancer with a challenging 25% five-year survival rate.
“We hope and pray that MD Anderson can develop an immunotherapy to preclude the use of harsh, less effective treatments such as chemo,” said Rob, who had set a goal to raise $12,000 — or $1,000 for every mile he swam in the frigid waters of Lake Tahoe. To date, Rob has raised an amazing $17,229 this year alone, and has consistently been the top fundraiser in previous years of Swim Across America – Houston events, raising a total of $160,700 throughout the years.
In addition to swimming at the 2024 SAA-Houston open water swim in October, Rob McLaren completed the Lake Tahoe (12-mile width) open water swim.
“One supporter said he would pay $1,000 for my final 12th mile of the Lake Tahoe swim,” said Rob. “That helped me be especially motivated to complete the swim to enforce his side of the deal!”
In addition to his fundraising efforts, Rob has accomplished the extraordinary feat of swimming in all 24 Swim Across America open water swims nationwide between 2021 and 2023, a testament to his dedication to the cause.
“We are excited this year to bring Swim Across America – Houston to Margaritaville Lake Conroe and continue raising crucial funds for cancer research at MD Anderson,” said Rob McLaren, who is also one of the co-event directors this year of the swim. “The passion and commitment of our swimmers, volunteers, and supporters truly make a difference in the lives of those impacted by cancer.”
In 2024, Julia Brookshire made the leap from pharmaceutical sales rep to Swim Across America National Safety Director signifying a full circle journey. She also celebrated being in deep remission from chronic lymphocytic leukemia. To ensure she didn’t “waste her cancer,” she set out to raise money for Swim Across America through an SAA My Way challenge and a historic cross-continental swim with SwimTrek. Read Julia’s story here and find media highlights below.
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.
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.”
Julia Brookshire’s journey with Swim Across America is full of signs and signals. The events leading up to her newest adventure are like an invisible string that ties her to the Swim Across America mission. It’s an adventure that prompted a career change and a cross-continental swim.
“I first found out about Swim Across America because I saw a backpack with the logo laying on the pool deck. I had just finished a swim, saw the logo, and Googled ‘Swim Across America’ when I got home,” said Julia.
When she realized Swim Across America combined swimming and fighting cancer, she was immediately drawn in. Julia’s father passed away in 2005 from glioblastoma and Julia’s neighbor had recently been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). She knew she had to be involved, so she gathered up her neighborhood friends and formed a team for the 2019 Swim Across America – Charlotte community swim in her neighbor’s honor.
Fast forward to 2021 and Julia wanted to swim again. This time, she chose the Swim Across America – Tampa event because she had friends in Florida who would come with her to the event.
Julia Brookshire, center, with teammates at the 2019 Swim Across America – Charlotte open water swim.
“Before the start of the swim, I met Vicki Bunke, whose daughter Grace lost her battle to osteosarcoma. Vicki swam in 14 Swim Across America events to honor Grace. As a mother, I immediately felt a connection,” said Julia.
Julia Brookshire and Rob Butcher, Swim Across Ameria CEO, at the 2021 SAA-Tampa community swim.
When Julia finished the course at SAA-Tampa, she met Rob Butcher, Swim Across America chief executive officer. They shared a quick exchange and realized they both lived in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was a sign.
“When we got back to Charlotte, Rob reached out to me, and we met for breakfast. He asked me, ‘What do you do and what are you passionate about?’” said Julia.
Julia said, “I’m a pharmaceutical sales rep and my passion is water safety.” At the time, Julia was working as a pharmaceutical sales rep in the rare-disease space and certifying lifeguards for Mecklenburg County Aquatics. Julia holds several water safety certifications, including training as a Big Wave Risk Assessment Groups water rescue technician, and as a surf responder for the ocean course. After her discussion with Rob Butcher, Julia knew this was the start of something special.
FAMILIAR FACES IN ALL PLACES
Julia had been swimming since she was two years old. She was taught to swim “the old school way” as she puts it. She swam competitively through high school and continued swimming, though in a less competitive way, in college and still swims to this day.
“My mother was terrified of the water. She vowed to make sure her kids knew how to swim and how to be safe around water. So at two years old, she put my brothers and me into the pool and sort of forced us to learn to swim!” said Julia.
Julia’s involvement with Swim Across America quickly grew and her passion for water safety led her to higher-level volunteer positions with Swim Across America. Some of her roles included supervising some of the community events as a national safety liaison. At her first event where she worked with the safety team, she saw a familiar face.
“I looked over and there was Vicki Bunke! First in Tampa and now at Swim Across America – Charleston-Kiawah. Another sign.”
Julia continued volunteering as a national safety liaison for the next two years.
SWIMMING WITH MY THOUGHTS
It wasn’t until February 2023 when Julia’s connection with Swim Across America became even more important. Julia was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) and began a year-long treatment program that included a combination of chemotherapy antineoplastic agent infusions and oral immunotherapy.
“I didn’t tell people that I had cancer. I didn’t want my sons to be constantly reminded I wasn’t well. I wanted to focus on my remission, not my CLL diagnosis. And I didn’t want people to treat me differently,” shared Julia.
Throughout her treatments, Julia swam daily at her local YMCA. Swimming was a form of therapy and helped her maintain a positive outlook. It was so important to her that she scheduled her treatments in the late mornings so she could swim every day at the YMCA at 6 a.m.
“Swimming was where I could be with my thoughts. I could pray, I could meditate, I didn’t have to think about cancer. It kept me centered and grounded. In fact, I had just gotten out of the pool when I got the ‘you have cancer’ call from my doctor. If I had been anywhere else, I would not have been able to handle that call,” said Julia.
Another sign.
Julia Brookshire excitedly rang “the bell” at Levine Cancer Center in March 2024.
Swimming also kept her focused on remission. Thankfully, Julia was given the news that she was in “deep remission” in February 2024. She anxiously went for her last routine scan and visit with Dr. Ryan Jacobs at Levine Cancer Center.
“On March 7, I rang that bell signifying completion of my treatment and I couldn’t have been happier,” said Julia.
“Then I kept thinking, ‘OK, what’s next, what do I do now?’”
What came next was something bigger than Julia had imagined and surprised those closest to her. Before she could tell people about her next adventure, she needed to tell them she was in remission – from a cancer they didn’t know she had.
MAKING WAVES WITH A CROSS-CONTINENTAL SWIM
Julia’s big plan was realized when Swim Across America announced a new partnership with SwimTrek, the world’s leading provider of open water swimming trips. It was a sign.
“I started by telling people that I was doing something crazy, swimming from one continent to another, and I was raising money for Swim Across America. When they asked why, I told them it was to celebrate my remission of CLL,” said Julia.
“The amount of love, kindness, and support I received was unbelievable. Well, not completely unbelievable, because I know I have an incredible support system. But it was overwhelming and I’m so grateful.”
So what IS next? In February 2024, Julia signed up as a Swim Across America SAA My Way virtual participant. This allows her to design and complete her own challenge and raise funds for Swim Across America.
In July 2024, she made an even bigger move and left her career in pharmaceutical sales to officially join Swim Across America as a full-time national safety director!
Now onto Julia’s next adventure and My Way fundraiser: Thanks to the partnership between Swim Across America and SwimTrek, Julia was awarded an entry into the Hellespont and Dardanelles Swim, known as the world’s oldest swim. In August 2024, Julia will travel to Turkey and swim the Hellespont and Dardanelles swim on August 30.
The course is a cross-continental swim from Europe to Asia in Turkey and is through one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. The shipping lane is closed during the race, so swimmers must adhere to a strict course time. The course is 4.5 kilometers and must be completed in 90 minutes.
“It’s intimidating and I’m training for it! I am a good swimmer and am building up my stamina. I am thankful that I’m feeling healthy and strong,” shared Julia.
“I think back to that backpack on the pool deck and look to where it’s led me. I am working with an organization that is making an incredible impact in communities across the country. I swam my way through cancer treatment. And now I get to swim one of the oldest swimming courses in the world and raise money for cancer research while I do it. There were signs all over the place.”
Julia will have some company and moral support in the water as she makes her cross-continental trek. Julia will be joined by Janel Jorgensen McArdle, a former Olympic swimmer and Swim Across America chief operating officer.
“Julia and I have been close friends for a while and I’m so happy she has been given this opportunity to celebrate her year-long journey,” Janel shared. “This is so special and I’m happy to swim alongside her. Now I need to start training!” Janel joked.
Julia hopes to make waves to fight cancer by raising $60,000 for Swim Across America – and is so close to meeting her goal! If you are moved to support her swim, visit swimacrossamerica.org/jb.
Find media highlights from Julia’s adventure here.
Sarah Thomas is Believed to be the First Swimmer to Complete the Swim of the Entire Length of Lake Mead
LAS VEGAS, October 7, 2023 – On October 7, 2023, ultra marathon swimmer Sarah Thomas set another world record with a monumental swim that no other swimmer has ever attempted. Sarah completed a 47.5-mile swim of the entire length of Lake Mead – from the Colorado River to the Hoover Dam (distance pending ratification). The swim took her 26 hours, 45 minutes and 45 seconds (26:45:45) to complete. Sarah, a breast cancer survivor, took on this swim not just to break another world record, but to help make waves in the fight against cancer and to raise critical funds for cancer research with Swim Across America.
“The water was a balmy 78 on the surface and around 75 degrees in the swimming depth. I’m a cold water swimmer, so this was a bit warmer than I’m used to, but it ended up being lovely,” said Sarah Thomas. “I didn’t run into very many obstacles, except something wrapped around my arm at one point, but for the most part, the swim was really great! I’m so excited to be able to accomplish swimming in Lake Mead, and as a breast cancer survivor, to do it during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, all while raising crucial funds for cancer research with Swim Across America.”
Sarah was accompanied by her support boat that included her husband Ryan Willis, who served as pilot, their friend Craig Lenning, who was crew chief, and her friend Celeste Jacroux, who was her official time-keeper.
Sarah adds the Lake Mead swim to a long list of record-breaking feats.
Sarah Thomas is the first person to complete a four-way crossing of the English Channel in 54 hours and 10 minutes in 2019. She did so one year after completing treatments for breast cancer!
She holds the world record for the longest continuous (unassisted, non-wetsuit) swim done in current-neutral conditions. That record-breaking swim covered 104.6 miles over 67 hours in Lake Champlain (USA) in August of 2017.
She is the first person to complete a two-way crossing of the North Channel in 21 hours and 46 minutes in 2022. The North Channel is the body of water bounded by Northern Ireland (to the west), Scotland (to the east), Isle of Man (to the south), and the Atlantic Ocean (to the north).
She is the first person to complete a two-way swim of Lake Tahoe (lengthwise) in 2013. The swim is 42 miles and Sarah completed it in 22 hours and 30 minutes.
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.
“After my first visit to the Hoover Dam in February 2021, I knew I had to swim across Lake Mead,” said Sarah. “Water levels in the lake are in danger of dropping so low that a swim may not always be possible across this beautiful and important body of water.”
Sarah’s swim across Lake Mead started in South Cove, where her favorite river, The Colorado, enters the lake. She then followed the lake 47.5 miles until she ran out of water at the Hoover Dam.
Sarah hopes to raise money for Swim Across America through her monumental swims.
“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.”
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 hopes to raise money for cancer research and bring hope and new treatment options to others.
“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.”
A year after completing treatments, she did the impossible – becoming the first person to complete a four-way crossing of the English Channel.
Swim Across America was founded in 1987 with its first open water event in Long Island Sound. Since that time, the nonprofit organization has raised more than $100 million to fight cancer. In its 36 years of “making waves to fight cancer,” more than 100,000 swimmers and 150 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 open water swims and charity pool swims each year, from Nantucket to under the Golden Gate Bridge, which support innovative cancer research, detection and patient programs.
Swim Across America’s funding of clinical trials for patients helped contribute to four FDA approved life-saving immunotherapy cancer treatments: Yervoy, Opdivo, Tecentriq and Keytruda. In June of last year, a clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering was published in The New England Journal of Medicine that 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. The clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering was funded by early-stage grant funding from Swim Across America. More than 60 scientific grants are funded each year and there are now ten dedicated 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, the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, The Swim Across America Pediatric Research Lab at Columbia University Medical Center New York, and at Meyer Cancer Center at Weill Cornell Medicine.
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 visitswimacrossamerica.org or follow on Facebook @SwimAcrossAmerica or on Instagram or Twitter @SAASwim.
Maya Merhige Swim Across America – San Francisco Age: 16
Maya Merhige is just 16 years old, and she has spent half her life participating in Swim Across America – San Francisco. In that time, she has raised over $76,000 for the swim’s beneficiary, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals.
Maya Merhige
“I’ve loved swimming for a really long time,” noted Maya. “Swimming is something that I would do even if I weren’t raising funds. Being able to raise money for something that is extremely important to me and close to my heart by just continuing with something I love is the perfect situation.”
From a young age, Maya understood the importance of raising funds for cancer research. She first swam at Swim Across America – San Francisco when she was nine years old.
“I swim for each and every single person that has ever been touched by cancer. Whether it’s for a patient, a doctor, a family member, or a friend, I swim for them all,” said Maya.
“Cancer is one of the most devastating things to go through, and I swim to honor all of those who use all of their strength to fight this disease.
Using strength to fight through challenging situations is something Maya is familiar with. In addition to being a high school junior, a top fundraiser for Swim Across America, and a Taylor Swift fan, Maya is an accomplished marathon swimmer with several record-breaking and high-profile channel swims completed to make up a long list of achievements.
This summer, she completed her eighth major marathon swim, the 20 Bridges Swim around Manhattan. She was 15 at the time, becoming only the third 15-year-old to complete the swim, and swam the 28.5-mile course in eight hours and 43 minutes under the bright lights of New York City.
“I really like the challenge of it. I got to see all of the Manhattan skyline from the water at night, which is something I think not a lot of people can say. It was beautiful!”
Maya and her safety crew after the 20 Bridges Swim around Manhattan
Last January, Maya became the youngest swimmer in the world to successfully swim the grueling Kaiwi Molokai Channel, between the Hawaiian Islands of Molokai and Oahu, which she completed in 27 hours and 33 minutes. She also holds a record for the longest duration, thanks to an incredibly strong rip current.
She is the youngest woman to swim the 21-mile length, 12-mile width, and 10.8-mile Vikingsholm courses of Lake Tahoe, earning her the Tahoe Triple Crown. Read more about Maya, her marathon swims, and progress on fundraising efforts at swimacrossamerica.org/maya.
Maya plans on completing the Ocean’s Seven, which is a series of seven open water channel swims throughout the world. So far, she has completed two, and her English Channel swim is scheduled for July 2024.
Susan Helmrich, captain of Team Susan Survives and three-time cancer survivor, and Maya
Until then, she’s excited about the Swim Across America – San Francisco open water swim on September 30. She will swim with her team, Team Susan Survives, which has raised over $1 million throughout 17 years of support.
“This year marks the eighth year I’ve been swimming and raising money for Swim Across America – San Francisco,” said Maya. “I originally started swimming to support my dear friend Susan Helmrich, with Team Susan Survives. Susan is an amazing three-time cancer survivor!”
If you are moved to support Maya, you can donate here.
Swim Across America has raised $100 million since its inception in 1987 to support cancer research and clinical trials across the U.S. Please contact Jeni Howard at jhoward@jhowardpr.com for media inquiries.
Imagine swimming two miles from Punta Faro in Sicily to Cannitello, Calabria on the Boot of the Italian Peninsula. Three high school swimmers from Cincinnati, Ohio did just that on June 27, 2023, to raise funds for pediatric cancer research.
The route, known as the Strait of Messina, earned them the moniker, the Marlins in Messina. “Marlins” being a nod to their local club swim team, the Cincinnati Marlins.
For Sydney Herr, Natalie Gockerman and Chloe Otten, each 17 years old, the challenge in the Mediterranean Sea tested the physical and mental stamina required to cross the waters. However, they know that many other young people have a much tougher battle.
Chloe Otten, Nathalie Gockerman and Sydney Herr
“Distance swimming in open water is nothing compared to the fight against cancer that some families endure,” said Sydney.
Swimming, and a passion for positively impacting their community, bind the three together. The trio became teammates in 2018 as members of Ohio’s state Zone Team. Last August they hosted a Swim Across America pool swim which raised over $15,000. This year, they registered as SAA My Way participants and committed to expand their support for Swim Across America.
Each swimmer has a personal connection to Swim Across America’s mission to raise funds for cancer research through swimming.
“I am incredibly passionate about making a difference in the world. Every child deserves the opportunity to live cancer free and I am committed to giving any child battling cancer hope,” said Sydney.
“I am swimming in honor of my grandmother who successfully battled stage 4 breast cancer,” explained Natalie. “I’m thankful to the doctors and nurses who provided her with the best treatment and care.”
“Unfortunately, I lost my grandmother to pancreatic cancer in 2016 and my cousin recently to heart failure. My cousin was very young and he motivates me every day to live to the fullest,” said Chloe. “It breaks my heart to know that other families also struggle through these kinds of tragedies. I want to raise money to support the research Swim Across America funds.”
In addition to their team fundraising page, the trio designed and sold customized t-shirts for their Messina event and secured a financial contribution for Swim Across America from the Kendra Scott Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the national jewelry company.
If you are moved to support the Marlins in Messina, you can donate here.
Swim Across America has raised $100 million since its inception in 1987 to support cancer research and clinical trials across the U.S. Please contact Jeni Howard at jhoward@jhowardpr.com for media inquiries.
Julie Brabbs Swim Across America – Motor City Mile 5 years supporting Swim Across America Age: 56
Julie Brabbs has a few important connections to Swim Across America and its mission.
Julie is the chief administrative officer at the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center. She has a unique perspective on cancer as she supports the cancer center and its many missions daily.
In 2015, her job became much more meaningful when she was diagnosed with cancer. Being in the cancer field, Julie knew that innovative new treatments are the key to successfully treating the disease.
“Swim Across America’s grants to support clinical research and investigators are so, so important,” said Julie. “Cancer research funding is often hard to come by and the Swim Across America grants are necessary for making progress in breakthroughs like immunotherapy.”
Julie first attended the Swim Across America – Motor City Mile event in 2019, its inaugural year. She did so in honor of a friend who sadly had passed away from glioblastoma (brain cancer).
“At that time, I myself had cancer in 2015, but after standard treatment, I was in remission. Now, participating in the upcoming Swim Across America – Motor City Mile event has even more meaning as I am once again a cancer patient. My cancer came back in 2022 and I am currently taking Keytruda (an immunotherapy drug) as part of my treatment regimen, an option that wasn’t available in 2015 when I was first diagnosed.”
Julie thanks Swim Across America and its early-stage funding of Keytruda, which is now available to treat more than 30 different types of cancer, including Julie’s.
“Thanks to the hard work of Swim Across America, Keytruda was amazingly created in a Swim Across America lab. It’s amazing what swimming to raise money for cancer research can really do!”
This year, Julie is participating as a volunteer and SAA My Way participant, which means instead of swimming, she is doing other activities to raise funds to fight cancer. If you are moved to support Julie and Team Rogel, you can donate here.
Swim Across America has raised $100 million since its inception in 1987 to support cancer research and clinical trials across the U.S. Please contact Jeni Howard at jhoward@jhowardpr.com for media inquiries.
Swim Across America 