Tag: cancer research

Team John Makes Waves on Long Island Sound for Beloved Swimmer and Teammate

Posted on Posted in #MakingWavesToFightCancer, #SwimAcrossAmerica, Fundraising, Long Island Sound, Top Fundraisers, UncategorizedTagged , , 1 Comment

Team John
Swim Across America – Long Island Sound
31 years supporting Swim Across America

At the end July, nearly 60 teams will participate in the 31st annual Swim Across America – Long Island Sound open water swim. One of those teams – and perhaps one with the most longevity – is Team John.

 The 18 members of Team John are swimming in honor of beloved swimmer John Needham, who sadly lost his battle with cancer on June 1, 2023, just shy of his 70th birthday.

“John will always be remembered as a beloved husband to Leanne and devoted father to his two children, Daniel and Caitlin, of whom he was always so proud and called his greatest joy, and his sister Sarah Needham,” said Joseph Kaufman, co-captain of Team John.

John Needham

“His teammates and swimming family at Westchester Masters Swim Association and the Scarsdale Town Pool keep his memory alive each time we dive into the water.”

Growing up, John was an All-American swimmer at Hamilton College in upstate New York. After attending Boston University Law School, he found his true calling and joined the Legal Aid Society in Manhattan and, ultimately, in the Bronx, working tirelessly to defend the underprivileged and marginalized.

Josh Glantz, Joel Talish, and Joe Kaufman, members of Team John

“John was loved by many in the broader Westchester swimming community,” said team co-captain Josh Glantz. “John participated in Swim Across America every year to raise money for cancer research. His friends from the pool now miss his laid-back nature, incredible and subtle sense of humor and supreme care for everyone in his swimming community.”

John Needham was also Josh Glantz’s Scarsdale neighbor. This year, John’s son Dan will be swimming the 10k alongside teammates, Josh, Joe Kaufman and Joel Talish, at the July 29 open water swim together in memory of their beloved father and friend.

Some members of Team John have been with the swim since its inception in 1992, including co-captain Josh Glantz. Every year, the team changes its name to reflect who they are swimming for – whether it is someone courageously battling cancer, or someone dear they have recently lost. The team is one of the top fundraising teams in the history of the Long Island Sound swim.

John Needham, Josh Glantz, and Eldad Blaustein, members of Team John

If you are moved to support Team John, 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.

“IT’S AMAZING WHAT SWIMMING TO RAISE MONEY FOR CANCER RESEARCH CAN REALLY DO!”

Posted on Posted in #DefeatCancer, #MakingWavesToFightCancer, #SwimAcrossAmerica, beneficiaries, Fundraising, Motor City Mile, SAA My Way, Top Fundraisers, UncategorizedTagged , , , 1 Comment

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.

TEAM HOPE MARKS 20th ANNIVERSARY OF MAKING WAVES TO FIGHT CANCER

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When you hear Mike Ford talk about TEAM HOPE, one word comes up over and over again – family. In fact, the word is a part of their “rallying cry.”

“We are swimmers, we are friends, we are families…We are TEAM HOPE!”

Mike was inspired to create TEAM HOPE in 2004 in honor of three close friends who were battling cancer. [Read the full history here.] This year marks TEAM HOPE’s 20th year participating in Swim Across America events and the team has goal of raising $100,000. Since their first event, the team has raised a remarkable $1.4 million to support local beneficiaries.

“We’ve been together a long time. We’ve accomplished a lot over the years,” said Mike. “And, in so doing, we have become one big family.”

Joining TEAM HOPE becomes a bit of a family tradition for its ever-growing roster of members. Many of whom join because they have a loved one who is fighting cancer and they want to take action to help them in some way.  

“If you look at a picture from our very first year, you’ll see some of the same faces in a picture from 2022. You’ll see even more faces because as everyone grows up and grows their families, they become members of TEAM HOPE.”

This “family history” is captured each year in the dedication board Mike has at the events.

“We all write down who we are swimming for, who we are honoring. The younger team members write down, ‘Grandpa’ or ‘Aunt Judy,’ and being a part of TEAM HOPE makes them feel like they are doing something important to help their family members. It makes them feel like they are making a difference.”

Over the years, members of TEAM HOPE have honored many, including Mike’s wife, Patti, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2005 and passed in 2016 after a courageous decade-long battle.

“Unfortunately, we aren’t unique. Everyone is fighting for someone. What makes us special is that we do it as a family.”

If you are moved to support TEAM HOPE to help them reach their $100,000 goal, you can donate here. Want to become part of the TEAM HOPE family? Join the team here.

Finding a Lifeline in the Swim Across America Community

Posted on Posted in #MakingWavesToFightCancer, college swimming, Fundraising, Messages of Hope, Top Fundraisers, UncategorizedTagged , , , , , , 2 Comments

Dalton Sousa
Swim Across America – Boston
Hometown: Carver, MA
5 years supporting Swim Across America
Age: 23

Dalton Sousa is no stranger to swimming or Swim Across America. He is a long-time supporter of Team Roethke at Swim Across America – Nantucket and swam with the Roger Williams University swim team at Swim Across America – Rhode Island.

“The mission to ‘End Cancer’ is something I have felt connected to for years. My hometown and many of my closest friends have been personally affected by cancer. I remember crying in class after hearing that one of my friends and classmates had passed away from cancer in 2015. He fought bravely at Dana-Farber Medical Center.”

It wasn’t until this year that he had an even more personal reason to dive in. In January 2023, Dalton’s mother, Toni, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

“Now, Swim Across America is so much more than just a worthy cause for me. It has become a lifeline, a community of friends and family, who have rallied around a similar goal to end cancer.”

Dalton set out to raise funds in honor of his mom, who is being treated at Beth Israel Hospital-Plymouth. He created Team Sousa in January and in a few weeks, they raised over $11,000.

Toni’s spirits are high and it’s clear this tight-knit family is in the fight together and keeping a positive outlook.

“My mom has been one of the biggest influences on my life that has allowed me to be as successful as I have been. Swimming has been a huge part of my life. Whether it was as a swim parent, a New England official, or a fan my mom always tried to support everyone. She taught me to make the best out of difficult situations.”

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.

Breast Cancer Survivor Finds an Inspiring Way to Mark Two Milestones

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Michelle Deaton
Swim Across America – Tampa
Hometown: Wesley Chapel, Florida
2 years supporting Swim Across America
Age: 50

Michelle Deaton has a lot to celebrate this year and she wanted to mark the occasion by doing something she had never done before.

“I turned 50 in March and I’m five years cancer free! What better way to celebrate than with a two-mile swim with Wyatt!”

Last year, Michelle was a proud supporter of her son, Wyatt, who swam 2 miles in the 2022 Swim Across America – Tampa event. He raised nearly $6,000 in her honor. This year, they are training – and raising funds – together. What makes their swim even more special is that the event falls on Mother’s Day weekend.

“I’m so excited that my mom is training to swim with me,” said Wyatt. “She keeps telling me she will swim faster than me and beat me back to the beach. I’m just proud that she is cancer-free, just celebrated her 50th birthday on March 26, and is going to be my swim partner for Swim Across America.”

Michelle is cancer-free but that doesn’t mean she will stop supporting Swim Across America. She is likely one of our most enthusiastic participants!

“I just love, love, love Swim Across America and all it stands for,” said Michelle Deaton. “I talk about the work that Swim Across America supports everywhere I go and to everyone. I’m Swim Across America’s biggest fan. I’m thrilled to be able to swim and be a part of such a great event that impacts the lives of so many. I’m a true believer that when you put your mind to something, it might not be easy, but I’m blessed as I have gone through something tough like a cancer diagnosis, and it made me realize even more how miraculous our bodies really are.”

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.

Finding New Meaning in Swim Across America Participation

Posted on Posted in #DefeatCancer, #MakingWavesToFightCancer, #SwimAcrossAmerica, beneficiaries, event directors, UncategorizedTagged , , , 1 Comment

Susan McPherson

Swim Across America – Nashville

Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee

6 years with Swim Across America

Age: 79

Susan McPherson was no stranger to Swim Across America, but her contributions were always in honor of other family members and friends who had cancer diagnoses. After a shocking diagnosis in December 2020, the reason to support Swim Across America-Nashville now became much more personal for Susan.

“I went to the doctor because I was experiencing new-onset shortness of breath and found out I was anemic. After additional tests, the doctors told me they found a large tumor and multiple metastases in my abdomen and that I had stage four colon cancer.”

Susan’s particular genetic profile made her a candidate for immunotherapy. She began treatment at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, which is the beneficiary of the Swim Across America-Nashville Pool Swim.

“In fact, the type of immunotherapy I was given – Keytruda – was developed in the Swim Across America funded lab at the Johns Hopkins Cancer Center! What an incredibly serendipitous moment it was when I realized that the treatment that could help save my life was initially funded through Swim Across America fundraising events.”

Susan received treatment for two years and is now cancer-free. And her participation in this year’s Swim Across America – Nashville event is that much more poignant.

Susan’s daughter-in-law, Chris, is one of the event directors and coaches at the Ensworth Natatorium where the event is held. Her son, John, is a cardiologist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. For the second year, Chris and John will swim with their team “Chris’ Cancer Crushers” in their endeavor to “make waves to fight cancer.”

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.

Young Teen Recognizes Swim Across America’s Impact Within His Home

Posted on Posted in #MakingWavesToFightCancer, #SwimAcrossAmerica, Uncategorized, wave makerTagged , , , 1 Comment

Owen Johnson

Swim Across America – Charleston-Kiawah

Hometown: Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

3 years supporting Swim Across America

Age: 13

Owen Johnson is just 13 years old, and he already recognizes the impact funds raised at a Swim Across America charity swim have on patients and families.

“My dad, Brad Johnson, was diagnosed with stage four head and neck cancer before I was born. He survived because of new medicines discovered by cancer researchers, like the ones funded by Swim Across America.”

In 2020, the then-11-year-old swimmer had the idea to give his dad an unforgettable Christmas present. Instead of exchanging gifts, Owen set up a GoFundMe in honor of his dad’s fight against cancer. Owen raised over $2,000 and since then, has raised another $4,000 through his participation in the Swim Across America – Charleston-Kiawah events.

“I know Swim Across America gives money directly to researchers. My dad was the Event Director for Swim Across America – Charleston-Kiawah for a few years, and Swim Across America gives grants to cancer researchers at Hollings Cancer Center in Charleston where we live.”

This year, Owen and Brad will swim together at the Swim Across America – Charleston-Kiawah event on June 10. They are also celebrating a remarkable milestone. Brad has been cancer-free for 20 years.

“To celebrate 20 years and all the things my dad has accomplished since beating cancer – Ironman events, marathons, Triathlon World Championships, having a family – we are teaming up to raise $20,000 for the 2023 Swim Across America – Charleston-Kiawah event.”

“I hope that by raising money for Swim Across America, donations will help researchers get the funding they need to help more people like my dad.”

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.

Cancer Survivor Inspired to Help Establish SAA-Florida Keys Event

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Glenn Latham

Swim Across America – Florida Keys

Hometown: Islamorada, Florida

2 years supporting Swim Across America

Age: 68

“Both my parents, two of my three siblings, and I have all battled cancer. Fortunately, due to lots of prayer, family support and modern technology, I am in remission and celebrating 11 years cancer-free.”

And thanks to a chance meeting with a Swim Across America Board Member, Glenn and his wife, Susan, are now dedicated to bringing hope to families fighting cancer.

As a cancer survivor, Glenn was involved with different charities prior to moving to the Keys. Glenn’s love of swimming led to that chance encounter with a Board Member who shared the story of Swim Across America and our mission to fund innovative cancer research.

“My wife and I were immediately interested, and together we decided to organize the first SAA event in the Florida Keys. Our inaugural event in 2022 was a huge success, and the community involvement was amazing.”

The two Islamorada residents are Co-Event Directors for the second annual Swim Across America – Florida Keys event on April 15 benefitting Miami Cancer Institute.

“Being involved with Swim Across America has been a wonderful experience. I hope to continue to help with our own event and attend other swims. I believe we need to expand cancer research, and the funding that Swim Across America generates is of huge value.”

“It is particularly gratifying meeting and working with key members of the local medical research institution, Swim Across America staff, Olympians and local community supporters.” 

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.

MORE THAN $300,000 IN ACTIVE GRANTS AT LEVINE CANCER INSTITUTE FROM SWIM ACROSS AMERICA

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With grant support from Swim Across America–Charlotte, researchers at Levine Cancer Institute and Levine Children’s Hospital aim to make progress with the following projects. Since 2017, Swim Across America–Charlotte has awarded more than $750,000 to fund research and education programs at LCI.

Dr. Greg Knight

Grant Recipient: Greg Knight, M.D.

Project: How Distress and Psychologic Well-Being Affect Outcomes for Patients with Hematologic Malignancies

As the science of cancer treatment in the United States continues to accelerate and treatment becomes more personalized (and expensive), barriers to the implementation of optimal cancer care have been increasingly recognized as major determinants of outcomes. Evidence is emerging that psychosocial stress is impacting care. Such data have led to almost all major professional oncologic organizations, including ASCO, NCCN, and American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer, recommending screening for stress as part of routine care. With funding from Swim Across America, Dr. Knight is leading a first of its kind study, exploring the impact of stress in hematologic malignancies, and examine how to alleviate these stressors to improve the outcomes for these patients.

Dr. Srinivasa Sanikommu

Grant Recipients: Srinivasa Sanikommu, M.D.; Lawrence Druhan, Ph.D.

Project: Effects of Vitamin C in Patients with Leukemia and Myelodysplasia

Vitamin C has long been postulated to have beneficial/and preventative effects in many diseases, but whether and/or how vitamin helps patients with blood cancers is unknown. We have seen in the laboratory that when vitamin C is added to some chemotherapy agents, there is inhibition of cancer cell growth. Thus, if vitamin C is deficient in some patients, it is possible that responses to therapy could be improved by addition of vitamin C. With funding from Swim Across America, Drs. Sanikommu and Druhan are studying how the addition of Vitamin C could improve the outcomes for patients with leukemia and blood cancers, and potentially even prevent the development of these diseases.

Dr. Brittany Ragon

Grant Recipient: Brittany Ragon, M.D

Project: Personalized Medicine for the Treatment of Leukemia

In leukemia care, the choice and dosing of therapy can be an empiric exercise; there are increasing data showing that best therapies and best dosing can be predicted using genetics. A new drug called venetoclax (ven) is now part of the standard treatment for upfront treatment in many patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Despite improvements in outcomes for AML patients with venetoclax, the real-world usage of ven is complex, and toxicities leading to dose modifications are common. Using funding from Swim Across America, Dr. Ragon is leading an innovative study to explore candidate gene changes as predictors of response to ventoclax-containing regimens to develop a personalized approach to patient care.

Grant Recipient: Yifan Pang, M.D.

Project: Immune System Functional Monitoring to Improve Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant

Dr. Yifan Pang

Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) can be the cure for many blood diseases. Including adults and children, more than 8,000 HSCTs are performed in the U.S. annually and more than 50,000 world-wide. The success of HSCT is dependent on the reconstitution of the immune system from transplanted cells, which is responsible for controlling infections, preventing transplant rejection, and prevention of disease recurrence. Current methods to monitor immune reconstitution are not good at measuring the global health of the immune system. Therefore, it is critical to identify a reliable marker to comprehensively measure post-HSCT immune reconstitution to prevent complications and improve outcomes. With funding from Swim Across America, Dr. Yifan Pang will lead a project aimed at the development of a novel method to measure immune reconstitution after HSCT using cutting-edge next generation sequences methods.

Dr. Mike Grunwald. Dr. Mike fundraises and swims. Every year.
Dr. Larry Druhan and his family. Dr. Larry fundraises and swims. Every year.

Elizabeth Beisel and Swim Across America Share Grant Updates from BLOCK CANCER

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THE INSPIRATION

On September 25th, 2021, three-time Olympian Elizabeth Beisel completed the 10.4-mile ocean swim from mainland Rhode Island to Block Island. Elizabeth partnered with Swim Across America for “Block Cancer” to honor her father, Ted Beisel, who passed in 2021 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Elizabeth became the first woman to successfully complete the swim raising over $160,000.

THE GRANTS

In addition to the $160,000 Elizabeth raised, Swim Across America raised an additional $500,000, with appreciation to the Lustgarten Foundation, to create a $660,000 grant bucket. The $660,000 is being applied to three grants to fight pancreatic cancer in honor of Ted Beisel:

a) A $60,000 grant to Dr. Peter Yu (NYU) pancreatic research metabolism study was awarded in 2022
b) A $300,000 grant to Dr. Ajay Goel (City of Hope) to conduct research for pancreatic detection was awarded in 2023
c) A $300,000 grant for pancreatic research will be announced in April of 2024

Photo: Elizabeth presents the award to Dr. Yu at Swim Across America—Rhode Island