Lab Series #1: Moffitt Cancer Center

Posted on March 28, 2016April 4, 2016 Posted in #DefeatCancer, Fundraising, LabsTagged cancer, Moffitt Cancer Center, SAA Labs, swim across america, swimming, Teen Cancer America, Young AdultsLeave a comment

Your donations allow SAA to provide funding to some of the world’s most renowned cancer institutions. This is the first in a series featuring the SAA LABS that our beneficiaries have named in honor of the efforts of Swim Across America.

IMG_2526 copy — Swim Across America Adolescent & Young Adult Lounge

This month, we are profiling the Swim Across America Adolescent and Young Adult Lounge at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa. The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place in April 2015 (featuring Tampa Bay Open Water Swim Event Director Rob Shapiro, former SAA CEO Janel Jorgensen-McArdle and current SAA CEO Rob Butcher). The SAA AYA Lounge is used by the approximately 100 young adult cancer patients at the hospital every day. Olivia Fridgen, AYA and LATTE Program Coordinator at Moffitt provided this insight.

How has the reception been to the SAA AYA Lounge by patients?
The reception from patients has been amazing. The corkboard wall on the lounge shows patient artwork, the white board has encouragement from patient to patient and the lounge journal has pages and pages of thoughts and inspirational words. It has been a respite for inpatients who need a change of scenery, as a place to spend time with their family and friends who come to visit and a great spot for the AYA (Adolescent and Young Adults) Program to host events and support groups.

Since the SAA AYA Lounge is different from other research-based SAA Labs, what interesting facts can you pass along?
We are the 1st AYA Lounge in Florida, the 3rd in the country. We are also unique because our lounge provides physical space not only for our inpatients but our outpatients as well. Some of the traditional lounges are built in conjunction with inpatient units and therefore are not accessible to outpatients. Another unique mention is that our Moffitt AYA Patients actually designed the entire space – they picked out color schemes, fabrics, flooring and lighting so that we were confident our lounge was hitting the mark and what AYA patients would actually want in a space.

Do patients get treatment in the SAA AYA Lounge?
No, the lounge is a place to get away from the hustle bustle of the hospital life. The Lounge has the latest gaming systems, comfy couches, white boards, board games and art supplies. The inpatient floors of the hospital, where admitted patients would receive treatment, is steps away which provides convenience and access to the lounge.

How much did it cost to build the SAA AYA Lounge?
SAA has donated nearly $140,000 to the AYA program over the years and monies from the 2014 race were specifically designated to the creation of the SAA AYA Lounge.

Does the AYA Group anticipate this to be a trend in hospital systems moving forward?
Yes, organizations like Teen Cancer America are working with AYA Programs across the country to fund and offer physical spaces in hospitals for young cancer patients.

Why is it important for Moffitt and other hospitals to have a lounge for adolescent and young adults?
Adolescent and Young Adult patients feel like they are the only 20- or 30-year-old in the entire hospital. While we know that isn’t true, each patient is seen in their respective clinic (for example, if you have breast cancer you’re seen in the Breast Clinic, if you have Lung Cancer you’re seen in Thoracic, etc.), so they never get the chance to run into one another. The Lounge provides a space where Young Adult cancer patients can actually meet another young person with cancer. Because it’s in a communal space, it’s less awkward, more organic and can reduce the feelings of isolation many AYAs feel, which is important to their psychosocial state of mind and also can create lasting friendships. Many of our patients say that family and friends are extremely supportive, but no one quite “gets it” like another young cancer patient.

How Far Have We Come?

Posted on March 26, 2014 Posted in Events, Fundraising, UncategorizedTagged 2014, america, cross country, distance, family, fight cancer, impact, miles, million, numbers, open water swim, speedo, swim across america, swim farLeave a comment

SAA By the Numbers

Shake off the ice and snow- spring is officially upon us and we’ve awoken from the deep freeze! To get everyone back in gear and excited for this year’s schedule of open water events (starting May 4^th in Atlanta!!) we figured we’d run some numbers. Haven’t you ever wondered just how far we actually have swum across America at this point?! Let’s find out!!

We went a looooooong way in 2013…
The mileage our swimmers have covered in open-water events alone is impressive. In 2013, we collectively swam 5447.5 miles in open-water events, meaning last year, we swam across America about 1.82 times!

We have swam back and forth a few times…
Unimpressed so far? Not for long! Since our inception, assuming all of our swimmers each swam an average of 1 mile each, we’ve swum across America about 10 times. Yes- 10 times across the country since our first open-water swim!

We’re making an impact…
While the miles we’ve covered alone are cause for celebration, the funds we’ve raised for cancer research deserves its own look. The amount we’ve raised since our first swim is over $50 million, which equals over 2,501,250 pairs of Speedo Vanquisher goggles, 1,001,001 women’s swimsuits or 156,274 pool lane lines.

It’s all thanks to you…
And get this: we’ve had about 30,000 swimmers in our open-water events since our beginning. If we assume equal numbers of American men and women with average wingspans of both genders, this means that holding hands, our Swim Across America family would stretch about 31.84 miles long!

Let’s do it again!
How many times will we make it across America this season? You can help us beat last year’s collective distance and add to our Swim Across America family by registering for a 2014 swim!

How to be a Pool Swim Pro

Posted on January 15, 2014 Posted in UncategorizedTagged fight cancer, fundraise, pool, practice, swim, swim team, team, wavesLeave a comment

If you live in the United States of America right now, you’re aware of the deep freeze that was gripping the entire country. We’re unsure of how there are even any pools left to swim in- haven’t they all turned to blocks of ice in the ground by now?!

The summer sun and open water season may be months away, but that hardly means that your local indoor pool can’t get some good use. Instead of worrying about those pesky New Year’s resolutions, why not resolve to do something for others and start a Swim Across America pool swim? Here are a few tips on how to be a Pool Swim Pro, deep freeze or sunny skies!

Have a Vision, but Be Open to it Changing:

It’s always best to have an idea of what you want an event to be like before you take it on, and to realistically assess your goals and visions. However, if things change along the way

Get Help from Us!

We put on large-scale-swims all the time, and we love helping our directors reach their goals and launch a great event. Request the official guide, “How to Host a Pool Swim” and we’ll help you, our newly minted Event Director, get everything going!

Break Out Your Calendar:

Even though SAA provides you with marketing materials, tips, fundraising software, and everything for event day, you’ll need ample time to secure a pool, a date, recruit volunteers and gain some fundraising momentum. Planning ahead is the key to building up a great event!

Fundraise Like a Boss:

It’s work, but ultimately, fundraising for your pool swim can be extremely rewarding, especially when you see the impact it has. Three major fundraising tips: Start Early, Be Pleasant and Persistent, and Get Personal. Every little bit counts, and every little bit makes a difference!

Enjoy the Day!

Event day can be stressful, but don’t forget to take a step back and absorb the magnitude of what you’ve accomplished. Have fun! Smile and get excited!

12 Days of Christmas Workout

Posted on December 19, 2013 Posted in UncategorizedTagged 12 days of christmas, backstroke, christmas, cookies, freestyle, holiday, north pole, pool, practice, sweat, swimming, swimming practice, workout, yardsLeave a comment

Between holiday shopping sprees, why not plan to get a workout in at the pool? This set comes straight from the North Pole- it’s our Twelve Days of Christmas Workout, and it’s 4850 yards of joy if you go through each day once. (If you’re a holiday workout fanatic and decide to go through the set like the song it’s named after, you’re looking at a whopping 23,200 yards, so have a couple extra Christmas cookies!)

On the first day of Christmas, my workout gave to me…
1 x 100 easy free

On the second day of Christmas, my workout gave to me…
2 x 75s drill

On the third day of Christmas, my workout gave to me…
3 x 50s descend

On the fourth day of Christmas, my workout gave to me…
4 x 100s IM

On the fifth day of Christmas, my workout gave to me…
5 x 50s sprint ALL OUT!

On the sixth day of Christmas, my workout gave to me…
6 x 100s pull

On the seventh day of Christmas, my workout gave to me…
7 x 50s alternate IM/IM transition

On the eighth day of Christmas, my workout gave to me…
8 x 25s no breath freestyle

On the ninth day of Christmas, my workout gave to me…
9 x 75s build to 90% effort

On the tenth day of Christmas, my workout gave to me…
10 x 50s kick alternate 3 build/2 fast

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my workout gave to me…
11 x 25s alternate 1 free easy/1 stroke fast

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my workout gave to me…
12 x 100s hold best average

SAA’s Holiday Shopping List

Posted on December 5, 2013 Posted in UncategorizedLeave a comment

Black Friday has come and gone, and the holiday season is in full swing. For every swimmer on your list, we’ve got a gift idea! Check out a few of our sponsor vendors and the deals they’re offering on merchandise using SAA codes!

Hardcore Swim

A company based in Southern California, Hardcore Swim designs, manufactures and distributes some really cool swimsuits, all in the US of A! Their founders understand the intensity of the sport because they’re serious swimmers themselves, and their truly creative style sets them apart from other suit manufacturers.

This past year, Hardcore created a Swim Across America suit for us! All proceeds from the sale of these suits (in six styles!) go directly to SAA, so you know you’re making an impact while looking stylish. What better way to cross off that loved swimmer on your list than to gift them a Hardcore Swim Across America suit?

GET YOUR SAA HARDCORE SWIMSUIT TODAY!

Finis

Another west coast company, Finis is a swimming product manufacturer founded by John Mix and Olympic Gold Medalist Pablo Morales. Focused on innovation and technique improvement for all levels of swimmers, Finis first produced the Swimmer’s Snorkel, Zoomers and the SwiMP3, all of which can be found in competitive swim equipment bags everywhere.

Lucky for us, Finis is offering 20% off all training gear during the holiday season for Swim Across America participants by entering the code “saa2013” at checkout! The dreaded winter training season is just around the corner, so why not help your swimmer feel less apprehensive about 4 hour doubles with some snazzy new fins, sparkly new goggles or a shiny new snorkel?

GET FINIS TRAINING AND SAVE 20% GEAR TODAY!

XTERRA WETSUITS

Born in the birthplace of the triathlon, XTERRA WETSUITS has been designing and creating the highest performing triathlon wetsuits since 2001. The founders are triathletes themselves, so their products are the utmost comfortable, buoyant and fast wetsuits out there for the best value!An added bonus- the company is eco-friendly, using limestone-based rubber instead of petroleum-based rubber. Not only is this better for the environment, it creates a more water-impermeable wetsuit, and thus, a better product.

XTERRA WETSUITS is offering Swim Across America participants a HUGE deal this holiday season- 60% off most wetsuits! All you need to do is enter code R-SAA at checkout! And while there may not be as much open water swimming in the winter months, we’re all for planning ahead! An XTerra wetsuit says that you care- they keep their wearers warm, comfortable, speedy and buoyant!

GET YOUR XTERRA WETSUIT FOR 60% OFF TODAY!

Brain Waves

Posted on November 27, 2013 Posted in UncategorizedTagged ipod, pool, practice, swim, swimming workout, train, type of swimmerLeave a comment

What we think about when we swim can be varied and unpredictable. Sometimes it depends on the day, sometimes it depends on the set, and sometimes it depends on the swimmer. We at Swim Across America know from experience that the thoughts that float through our heads while we’re floating through the water will fall into some distinct and interesting categories.

Here are the most common Brain Waves that we catch during a workout.

The IPod- This brain wave is a gift- or a curse. There are times when a song is stuck in your head, and the annoyance makes you as dizzy as the constant flip-turns. There are other times that a solid tune gets in there, and it pumps you up and gets you through a set. Either way, who needs headphones?

The Blank Book- There are some swimming brains that can go an entire practice without thinking about anything, really. How relaxing! These lucky swimming fools get an hour or two of brain shut-off while getting their workout in, and they’re the envy of many. (Including ourselves, can’t you tell?)

The Planner- We must be conditioned because of all those 6am workouts, but many swimmers cruise through a practice and come out with a plan for the next twelve hours. Especially during sets with long yardage, the Planner brain wave lets you dive in a groggy mess and climb out with a mental To-Do list, ready to attack your day.

The Abacus- Similar to the Blank Book, the Abacus wave almost shuts the mind completely off, save for one thing- it’s countin’ meters like it’ll never count again. Sometimes the only thing we can think about is how many laps we’ve got left, and sometimes it’s just that relaxing, monotonous time-waster that gets us through a set.

The Worst- There are times when you can’t think about anything else but the pain. It sears into your brain like the lactic acid searing into your muscles. Try and try you may to catch another brain wave, it just won’t stick. The Worst wave makes for the most miserable sets, but toughing it out is almost a right of passage in the swimming world!

The Kobayashi- You will never encounter a swimmer who has avoided this brain wave. For many swimmers, it’s rare to actually register hunger during a practice, yet that hardly stops us from daydreaming about the mountain of food we’ll get to consume after a rip-roaring workout. Do you even know what a Vermonster is? Of course you don’t… unless you’ve tasted victory over it after a 4-hour Christmas training session.

If an SAA Event Could Talk…

Posted on November 15, 2013 Posted in UncategorizedTagged archway, cancer, event, fight, heart, love, open water swim, pitch black, powerful, set up, smile, special, swimmers, together, water, wetsuitsLeave a comment

Each of our events has their own unique “voice.” But there are some commonalities across all of them and we think this is what your average one would sound like…

SOMEONE GET ME A COFFEE.

I love you guys, but I won’t be functioning without coffee at this hour.

Dash of cream. One sugar. Thank goodness for caffeine!

OOOOOKay. So. Picnic tables, banners, shells and sharpies, breakfast, Balance Bars, signs in the sand, buoys, caps, registration forms, towels, clipboards, Chobanis, wetsuits, waivers, kayaks, DJ, t-shirts, flags to the start, I have to be forgetting something…

If you ask me, setup is something I almost wish our participants could all be a part of as well. It’s pitch black, and all these people are volunteering their time to lug bins full of swag and supplies onto the beach. It’s camaraderie between strangers that starts before the sun rises, and it’s what sets the tone for the rest of the event. The only pall on these amazing mornings is what’s uniting everyone.

But that’s another great thing, though. People who come to me? They know why they’re here. Cancer isn’t simply something we remember on event day- it’s ever-present. And look at how many smiles, smiles there are here. My participants are powerful in the presence of the ever-present, and that’s why there’s a day on the horizon in which we won’t have to smile in spite of it anymore. That’s what I’m here working towards.

Oh. My. Goodness. There is an eight year old child here that is determined to swim the half mile alongside her mother.

Excuse me while I tear up behind the DJ’s speakers.

Speaking of which, DJ, can I request a song? A little vintage “Eye of the Tiger” might be in order to get this party bumpin’ by 8am. (But no Black Eyed Peas- so 2000 and late.)

Once things get rolling here, I love that they kind of don’t slow down. My favorite part of my swim is when participants run out of the water under my arches. It’s the culmination of a morning, but also the culmination of months of preparation from both staff and participants alike. Swimmers that were previously strangers share high fives and become family. You’d be hard pressed to find anything other than a smile on every face on that beach. Under those arches, we find the core of SAA: family, hard work and positivity, all on the road to a cure.

Okay people, time for the group picture. Look at everybody in their new shirts, lookin’ so flyyyy! Squeeze together, people, squeeze! We’re all in this together!

(Were truer words ever spoke?)

WOW! What a Year!

Posted on November 1, 2013 Posted in UncategorizedTagged $1 million, 500, atlanta, baylor, breakout, breakowt, cancer center, chicago, clinical trials, dallas, fundraising, Golden Gate Bridge, greenwich, halloween, lab, lake michigan, lake spivey, nantucket, open water, phelps, recap, rhode island, san francisco, seattle, sold out, swim, swim school, team college, year end1 Comment

Happy Halloween! While we at SAA were coming up with costume ideas this week, we also ran the numbers on our open water events for 2013. What we found were some frighteningly exciting statistics! Here’s a recap of our open water events for the season- they’re no trick, and certainly a treat!

Two NEW Swim Across America Labs!

Both our Dallas and Seattle swims hit the $1 million mark for fundraising this year, which is amazing! The Innovative Clinical Trials Center at Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center was renamed the Swim Across America Innovative Clinical Trials Center after hitting $1 million in giving. In only its third year, SAA Dallas continues to break records and make waves.

Over on the west coast, SAA Seattle also hit the $1 million fundraising mark and was recognized by beneficiary Seattle Cancer Care Alliance by naming their lab for us. This is the fifth Swim Across America lab in the country, demonstrating our growth as an organization and the tirelessness of our participants and donors.

Our Babes are Getting Bigger!

A couple of our very new swims completely blew us out of the water this year. Atlanta is the youngest of the open water siblings, and this May, it hit $250,000 in fundraising! Set on beautiful Lake Spivey, all donations from this inaugural swim went directly to the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

The second youngest in the SAA family, SAA Nantucket, was not to be outdone by its baby sib, though. In only it’s second year, Nantucket flew past its fundraising goal like Phelps by the competition and raised $180,000. The 55% jump in fundraising can be attributed to the dedication of all the swimmers that make this late summer event a blast!

The New Kids in Town

SAA Chicago debuted a new event at their swim this year in addition to their ½, 1, 1½ or 3 mile distance choices. The new Relay Swim across Lake Michigan was a hit, and helped the already firmly established swim raise almost $400,000 for the Rush University Cancer Center this past July.

The Michael Phelps Swim School also partnered with Swim Across America this year to offer the new Breakowt clinics to swimmers in Baltimore and Seattle. The innovative and comprehensive training session brings confidence and skill to new open water swimmers, and was run the day before each SAA swim.

Makin’ Waves, Breakin’ Records

Three of our open water swims made us proud as they reached new heights this summer. In tiny Rhode Island, the annual swim at Narragansett hosted a whopping 500 swimmers! A record number for this swim, all proceeds from participants went to Women and Infants Hospital.

Some say the Golden Gate Bridge that gleams over the Bay is the main attraction of the SAA San Francisco swim, and apparently a lot of potential participants thought so! The swim sold out all of its spots a week and a half in advance, and raised over half a million dollars.

SAA Greenwich followed suit, with over half a million dollars raised for their beneficiary, but they saw one of their tribute teams make history. Team College, a group swimming in honor of college friend Colin Campbell, raised $135,000 alone, which is one of the most amounts ever raised in SAA history.

A year of firsts for Swim Across America, we’re proud to say that all of our open water events made waves this summer!

Why Masters’ Swimming?

Posted on October 24, 2013 Posted in UncategorizedTagged indoor swimming, laps, masters swimming, pool, training, usmsLeave a comment

As the air gets chilly and the pumpkin spice lattes get back on the market, we can tell that fall is in full swing and summer is officially over. Swimmers everywhere are getting reacquainted with the chlorine-tastic smell of indoor pools.

With so many different types of swimmers that have joined us in the fight against cancer, we know that training can bring you to the pool constantly. Post-college, a Masters’ team can be a great way to get you pumped about your training and renew the excitement of jumping into water during the chillier months.

Here are SAA’s top 5 reasons to get involved with a masters’ team:

Training Buddies Make You A Better Swimmer- Some swimmers like to swim a practice by themselves. But isn’t everything better with a friend or two? Training buddies push you to be better, support you on your off-days and provide the camaraderie that is lost when training like a lone wolf.
Competition Isn’t Required If You Just Want to Stay in Shape- Did you know that roughly 75% of masters’ swimmers do not compete in USMS meets? The great thing about Masters’ Swimming is that athletes can make it as competitive as they want it to be. Some will participate in meets, others have never been to one, and still others do a few to see what type of shape they’re in. It’s all what you make of it, and most Masters’ programs support swimmers’ involvement in many different capacities.
All Abilities and Skill Levels Are Welcomed- No one gets cut, and there’s no pressure to reach a certain ability level. The spectrum of swimmers is wide in Masters’ programs, but everyone still comes to the pool to work out together!
Masters’ Swimming Keeps You In the Pool- well into your golden years! The age groups at a Masters’ meet will give you a hint, but it’s very common for swimmers to stick with their sport (and sometimes, to pick up their sport) late in life! The low-impact, full body workout is great for all ages- and on a Masters team, it’s easy to stay in shape and keep community with others who share your love of the water.
Your SAA Team Could Be Built Right In- Many tribute teams that participate at Swim Across America events have been formed from Masters’ teams. If you’re looking for friends to join your squad in the fight against cancer, you’re guaranteed to make them at a Masters’ practice!

Welcome October!

Posted on October 10, 2013 Posted in UncategorizedTagged breast cancer, breast cancer awareness month, cancer, detection, early, facts, go pink, mammograms, october, pink, women with cancerLeave a comment

The Detection Plan

Our fight for the cure is for all types of cancer, but October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month, so the SAA team has prepped some quick facts and figures on this disease, and a plan for early detection.

Did you know…

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, and the second leading cause of death among them. One in eight will be diagnosed with it in their lifetime.

Here’s the good news, though: mortality rates have been declining in women since 1990, due in combination to awareness, earlier and better detection and increased treatment options. And when detected early (in the localized stage,) the 5-year survival rate for women is 98%. Progress is being made, and while you may not be able to prevent it, being able to detect breast cancer early could make a world of difference.

Detection plans are very important, and consist of self-exams, clinical exams and regular mammograms for women over the age of 40.

The Self-Exam

Recommended once per month, self-exams are responsible for about 40% of detection rates. Most people who are diagnosed with breast cancer only notice one or two of the symptoms at first, which include any new lumps, changes in skin color or texture, any discharge or any unexplained changes in size or shape of the breast.

The Clinical Exam

A medical professional that is trained to notice abnormalities should conduct a clinical exam at an annual checkup. The doctor would do a visual and manual check of both breasts, and assess anything suspicious if found.

Regular Mammograms

Mammograms are x-rays of the breasttissue. For women over the age of 40, the risk of breast cancer increases, and mammograms should be performed every 1 or 2 years. Often, the mammogram can detect a lump before it can be felt, which can be key to detecting abnormal cells at the earliest possible time.

Knowing the facts about breast cancer and the steps to early detection is important for both men and women. Awareness is the best defense, but we know it’s not enough. Educate yourself and contact a doctor if you suspect anything, and get involved with Swim Across America as we work towards a cure!