Making Waves to Fight Cancer since 1987
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.
Swim Across America returns to Nashville for 5th annual pool swim
Interview with Aly Corb
On Saturday, July 25, hundreds of supporters will Make Waves to Fight Cancer at Jetties Beach for the annual Swim Across America – Nantucket open water swim. Many of those supporters have a personal connection to the Swim Across America mission. They may be cheering on a swimmer, sharing their own cancer journey, or volunteering in honor of a loved one.
For Jeff Schneider, that connection became deeply personal when he was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer. For many years, Jeff cheered on his daughter, Rachel, as she swam at the event. Now he also cheers on his grandchildren who participate in the kids’ splash along the shore.
Jeff has been his family’s loudest cheerleader, and he saw that support return back to him when he was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer in 2023.
“At age 56 I was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer. A hell of a thing to be told you have three to five years to live,” shared Jeff.
Jeff quickly sought treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a long-time beneficiary of Swim Across America funding through the Boston community. He underwent surgery, radiation and hormone therapy.
“I like to say they threw everything including the kitchen sink at me,” joked Jeff.
After a two-year fight, Jeff was declared in remission and he has remained in good health ever since. Jeff is grateful to organizations like Swim Across America, which funds groundbreaking immunotherapy treatment in communities across the country.
Proceeds from the Swim Across America – Nantucket community swim support cancer treatment and patient care at Nantucket Cottage Hospital and Palliative and Supportive Care of Nantucket, and cancer research at Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute. Through the efforts of these organizations and the support of SAA – Nantucket, residents and visitors alike can receive outstanding cancer treatment and support on the island.
“This is why I am so committed to doing whatever I can to support the important work Swim Across America makes possible,” shared Jeff.
“My wife, children, six grandchildren, and my friends all are grateful for the part Swim Across America played in keeping me – and so many other patients – around much longer than three to five years.”
Jeff’s daughter, Rachel, her husband, and their four daughters swim each year as part of Team Jeff, continuing to raise funds and awareness for cancer research.
Now that Jeff is on the other side of his two-year battle, he reflects on what kept him going through the darkest times.
“Throughout my battle with stage 4 prostate cancer I had hope,” shared Jeff.
“I had hope and kept it close. Hope got me through the worst of times. Hope helped me bear the surgery, radiation and the nasty hormone therapy drug I had to take for two years.”
“Hope eased the fear and dried the tears that came whether I wanted them or not.”
This hope is what keeps Jeff and his family dedicated to Swim Across America. If you are moved to support Team Jeff and SAA-Nantucket, click here.
Team Relay at Ensworth Natatorium to Benefit Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
Swim Across America, the nonprofit organization that makes waves to fight cancer by holding charity swims across the nation, will host the 5th annual Swim Across America – Nashville Pool Swim on Sunday, June 14, 2026, at the Ensworth Natatorium, 7401 Tennessee Highway 100, in Nashville. The community charity swim is a Team Relay event that welcomes swimmers of all ages and skill levels who are passionate about fighting cancer. Proceeds benefit Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, with a 2026 goal of raising $100,000 to support cancer care and research in Nashville. For registration and volunteer opportunities, or to support the swim with a tax-deductible donation, visit swimacrossamerica.org/nashville.
Established in 2022, Swim Across America – Nashville has raised more than $375,000 for Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, helping support cancer research, care and hope for individuals and families facing cancer.
For 23-year-old Aly Corb, an associate board member with Swim Across America and one of the planning committee members for the Nashville swim, the event is deeply personal. Aly, who currently lives in Knoxville, Tennessee, has been part of Swim Across America since she was just 8 years old and is now participating for her 16th year with the organization. One of the factors in her decision to attend college in Tennessee was the opportunity to help bring Swim Across America to the state. This year, she is diving in again to help organize the Nashville event at the Ensworth Natatorium.
Aly swims in memory of her brother, Michael, who sadly passed away from mixed lineage leukemia when he was just 9 months old. This past March, Aly and her family celebrated what would have been Michael’s 20th birthday; this December will mark 20 years without him.
“Although he lost his battle with cancer when he was only 9 months old, his memory is the reason this cause has meant so much to me and why Swim Across America has become such an important part of my life,” said Aly. “Every year when I swim, I do it in his honor, with the hope that together we can create a different future, one without cancer.”
Aly originally set her 2026 fundraising goal at $20,000 in honor of Michael’s 20th birthday. After quickly surpassing that goal and raising more than $25,000, she increased her goal to $30,000 — a threshold she has never reached before. Throughout the past 15 years with Swim Across America, Aly has raised more than $230,000 for cancer research, including $140,000 benefitting another Swim Across America beneficiary, Johns Hopkins Medicine, where Michael was treated.
“No matter where I swim, the money will still be going to help those fighting for their lives,” said Aly. “Whether you swim, donate or volunteer, you are helping to make a difference and save the lives of current and future cancer patients.”
Aly’s connection to cancer extends beyond her brother. She also swims in memory of her great-aunt Alison, her uncle Michael, and former teammate Garrett Brown, and in honor of family members and friends who have faced cancer.
“To me, this event 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,” noted Aly Corb. “That’s why I want to do everything I can so other families won’t go through what my family and I have gone through.”
Another swimmer, Tara Helmer, who lives in Nashville, also brings a deeply personal connection to the event. For Helmer, Swim Across America combines three important parts of her life: swimming, research, and her own experience as a cancer patient at Vanderbilt.
“I swim because Swim Across America combines three very important aspects of my life,” noted Tara. “My husband and daughter are very involved in the swim community. In fact, my husband is a former swimmer and current high school coach, and my daughter is a competitive swimmer.
Tara has also worked in research administration at Vanderbilt for about 20 years, supporting researchers across the institution. She also has been a cancer patient at Vanderbilt since 2016, when she was initially diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. In 2023, she was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.
“It has been incredibly rewarding to work with brilliant and passionate researchers across the institution over the years,” said Tara. “I am truly blessed and thankful for Dr. Park and all of the other incredible cancer researchers. I know far too many who have been diagnosed with cancer and have lost their lives to it. We’ve come such a long way, but still have a long way to go. Organizations like Swim Across America that support cancer research definitely help move the needle in the right direction. I also know that cancer patients like myself are always buying time until the next treatment or a cure is available. Having an organization dedicated to advancing cancer research is critical, and it gives cancer patients hope. If sharing my story helps even just one patient feel less scared, it is worth it.”
Nationally, Swim Across America has raised more than $150 million for cancer research since its founding in 1987 and has helped fund clinical trials that contributed to the FDA-approved cancer immunotherapy medications Keytruda, Opdivo, Yervoy and Tecentriq. In the past year, Swim Across America funded a breakthrough clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering that showed that immunotherapy alone could successfully treat certain types of cancer. The organization also recently awarded two first-of-its-kind gene editing innovation grants to the Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, advancing novel CRISPR gene and base editing techniques used in targeted therapies, immunotherapies and cellular therapies. Swim Across America supports more than 60 cancer research projects annually, has eight named Swim Across America labs, and supports work at many of the nation’s leading cancer institutions.
For those interested in swimming, volunteering or donating to the 5th annual Swim Across America – Nashville Pool Swim on June 14, please visit swimacrossamerica.org/nashville.
Swim Across America, Inc. (SAA) is dedicated to raising money and awareness for cancer research, prevention and treatment through swimming-related events. With open water and pool swims in 27 communities across the United States – from Nantucket to under the Golden Gate Bridge – Swim Across America, along with the help of thousands of swimmers and volunteers nationwide, and past and current Olympians, is helping find better treatments and a cure for cancer through athleticism, community outreach and direct service. To learn more, visit swimacrossamerica.org.
Read or watch local stories featuring the Swim Across America – Charleston-Kiawah community to learn about their impact. Learn more about the event and beneficiary, Hollings Cancer Center, at swimacrossamerica.org/charleston.
7TH ANNUAL SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – CHARLESTON-KIAWAH OPEN WATER SWIM TO MAKE WAVES TO FIGHT CANCER ON JUNE 8
Support cancer research at 10th Annual Swim Across America Charleston-Kiawah
Support cancer research at 10th Annual Swim Across America Charleston-Kiawah
This Milestone Event Honors Two Decades of Making Waves to Fight Cancer Through Swimming ½-mile, 1.5-miles or 3-miles and a Fun Kids’ Splash!
Swim Across America, the nonprofit organization that makes waves to fight cancer by holding charity swims across the nation, will host its 20th annual Swim Across America – Fairfield County open water swim on Saturday, June 20 2026, in Dolphin Cove in Stamford, Connecticut, at 96 Cummings Point Road, on the Greenwich/Stamford border. The event welcomes swimmers of all ages and skill levels to help make waves to fight cancer, with proceeds benefiting Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy (ACGT), headquartered in Stamford, and the nation’s only nonprofit dedicated to funding cancer cell and gene therapy. Participants may choose from a 1/2-mile, 1.5-mile, or 3-mile swim course, and children ages 11-years-old and younger can participate in a fun Kids’ Splash along the shore, as well as enjoy other Kids’ Splash zone activities like face painting, tattoos, arts and crafts, and a visit by Dash the Dolphin, Swim Across America’s mascot. There is also a “SAA My Way,” virtual option for those who are unable to participate in-person on June 20th. For registration and volunteer opportunities (land and water), or to support the swim with a tax-deductible donation, visit swimacrossamerica.org/fc.
Established in 2007, Swim Across America – Fairfield County has raised more than $8.2 million for its local beneficiary ACGT, supporting dozens of cancer research grants supporting better treatments and clinical trials for brain cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, osteosarcoma, melanoma, pancreatic, lung cancer, solid tumors, and this year, ovarian cancer. Each year, the event proudly hosts more than 250 swimmers, and hundreds of volunteers, spectators and supporters, as well as Olympic swimmers for this inspiring community swim.
“For this 20th year of making waves,, we’re aiming to make our biggest impact yet,” said Nancy Carr, event director of Swim Across America – Fairfield County. “This is truly a community effort where everyone makes a difference — in and out of the water – driving us towards a record-breaking year in the fight against cancer. Volunteers and younger participants amplify their impact by fundraising alongside our most seasoned swimmers. A middle school student is currently our top fundraiser.”
Special recognition will be given to longtime swimmers Craig Lawrence of Redding, Connecticut, whose sister Kimberly Lawrence Netter, sadly passed away from breast cancer in 2001, and who was the inspiration behind Greenwich residents Barbara and Edward Netter founding ACGT. Craig has swum 1.5 to 3-miles every single year and now swims with his teenage son Graham, who has also been a part of the swim since he was a baby. Old Greenwich residents Rob and Julie Colligan, who also swim (Rob swims 3-miles and Julie has done various distances, as well as managing more than 100+ volunteers as the event’s volunteer coordinator), will also be honored. The Colligans, along with their two children, have been a constant presence at the swim throughout the years. Darien resident Matt Vossler, who started Swim Across America in 1987, 20 years before the Fairfield County swim began, is also a constant with the swim. Beyond Matt’s incredible depth of knowledge about all things Swim Across America, he also heads up the safety team and is on the beach every year counting down for the swimmers to enter the water. Other veterans include longtime volunteers Roberta Bass of Greenwich, Julie Gibian of Old Greenwich, Wendy Probert of Westport, and longtime boating and safety team members Jim Gibian and John Palmer of Old Greenwich, and others who have helped steer the event safely year after year. Also recognized will be top fundraiser and 3-mile swimmer Peter (Pete) Carlson, Jr., of Riverside, Connecticut, who is team captain of the largest team participating in the swim, Team Julian, which is in memory of Julian Fraser, a Greenwich High School four-time High School All-American and captain of the GHS swimming and water polo teams, who sadly succumbed to a brief battle with sarcoma in 2017 at just age 20. Pete and his wife Sue as well as their entire family have been part of the Swim Across America family since its early days.
This year’s featured ACGT researcher supported by Swim Across America – Fairfield County is Joseph Fraietta, Ph.D., of the University of Pennsylvania, whose work is focused on developing new treatments for ovarian cancer. Fraietta will attend the swim and represent the cutting-edge research being advanced through the local support of the swim.
Also attending will be Laurie Adami, a CAR T–cell therapy recipient who is alive today after a decade-long battle with follicular lymphoma (a non-Hodgkin lymphoma) because of the breakthrough treatment she received. Early CAR T-cell clinical trials were funded by ACGT, making her story a powerful reminder of how today’s donations can help create tomorrow’s breakthroughs.
“For 20 years, Swim Across America – Fairfield County has brought together families, friends and neighbors to turn the tide against cancer,” noted Nancy Carr. “What began as a local charity swim has grown into a beloved community tradition that continues to send hope, momentum and critical funding straight to the front lines of cancer research. There isn’t a person among us who hasn’t been touched by cancer. I hope that everyone comes out to join us on Saturday, June 20th, for the 20th annual open water swim.”
Nationally, Swim Across America has raised more than $150 million for cancer research since its founding in 1987 and has helped fund clinical trials that contributed to the FDA-approved cancer immunotherapy medications Keytruda, Opdivo, Yervoy and Tecentriq. In the past year, Swim Across America funded a breakthrough clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering that showed that immunotherapy alone could successfully treat certain types of cancer. The organization also recently awarded two first-of-its-kind gene editing innovation grants to the Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, advancing novel CRISPR gene and base editing techniques used in targeted therapies, immunotherapies and cellular therapies. Swim Across America supports more than 60 cancer research projects annually, has eight named Swim Across America labs, and supports work at many of the nation’s leading cancer institutions.
Swimmers, volunteers, boaters and donors are encouraged to register or give today at swimacrossamerica.org/fc.
Swim Across America, Inc. (SAA) is dedicated to raising money and awareness for cancer research, prevention and treatment through swimming-related events. With open water and pool swims in 27 communities across the United States – from Nantucket to under the Golden Gate Bridge – Swim Across America, along with the help of thousands of swimmers and volunteers nationwide, and past and current Olympians, is helping find better treatments and a cure for cancer through athleticism, community outreach and direct service. To learn more, visit swimacrossamerica.org.
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 Brigham Cancer Institute, at swimacrossamerica.org/nantucket.
Read or watch local stories featuring the Swim Across America – Tampa community to learn about their impact. Learn more about the event and beneficiary, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, at swimacrossamerica.org/tampa.
15th Annual Swim Across America, Michelle Deaton live interview
15th Annual Swim Across America, Cade Clark live interview
Swim Across America making waves in St. Pete Beach
Swim Across America raises money for cancer research in Tampa Bay
Swim Across America Marks 15 Years of Pediatric Cancer Fundraising in St. Petersburg
We are proud to present our 2025 impact report, a high-level overview of Swim Across America, its communities, events, and beneficiary programs. The generosity, dedication, and support from events in 2025 strengthen our commitment to awarding grants to innovative cancer research, clinical trials, detection, and patient programs through charity swims that unite communities in the fight against cancer.
A letter from Rob Butcher, the CEO of Swim Across America:
Dear Swim Across America Community,
We began with a simple yet bold belief, that a community united in purpose can turn hope into action by innovating new cancer treatments and improving quality of life. Because of you, that belief is becoming a reality.
Coast-to-coast and all year long, survivors, advocates, and partners raised critical funds that directly support innovative research, advance detection, and improved patient programs. Every dollar granted is action towards breakthroughs and support for families navigating the unimaginable. We are unique that the funds raised in each community stay local, strengthening relationships with academic and community partners, and ensuring donors know the impact of their generosity.
We celebrate progress because families continue to hear the words, “You have cancer” and deserve to hear, “There is Hope.” We are committed to sharing our impact and inspiring generations to Make Waves to Fight Cancer with Swim Across America.
With gratitude,
Rob Butcher
Chief Executive Officer, Swim Across America
Read or watch local stories featuring the Swim Across America-Phoenix community to learn about their impact. Learn more about the event and beneficiaries at swimacrossamerica.org/phoenix.
Swim Across America event in Mesa benefits Mayo Clinic
Stage 4 melanoma patient swims for cancer cure in Mesa
Phoenix Pool Swim to raise money for cancer research
Phoenix Pool Swim to raise money for cancer research
Swim Across America is making waves to fight cancer
Swim Across America is making waves to fight cancer
High School Students Plan Fundraising Swim for Cancer Support
Read or watch local stories featuring the Swim Across America-Martha’s Vineyard community to learn about their impact. Learn more about the event and beneficiaries at swimacrossamerica.org/mv.
High School Students Plan Fundraising Swim for Cancer Support
Swim Across America