Doug Bosley has completed some of the most challenging marathon swims in the world, including the cross-continental Hellespont Dardanelles swim, the Maui Channel swim, the Boston Harbor Swim and the St. Croix Reef swim. He has also participated in nearly 30 Swim Across America swims, including Boston and San Francisco.
While those swims were intense, Doug is now facing one of his toughest battles yet: beating acral lentiginous melanoma, a rare form of skin cancer that has sadly spread and metastasized. Despite his diagnosis, Doug’s sense of humor remains intact. He colors his story with anecdotes, punchlines and heartfelt emotion.
“In March 2024, I discovered a very tiny dot on my heel; it was no bigger than an eraser head. So I got it checked out and was diagnosed with a rare form of skin cancer. Not exactly what you want to hear,” Doug shared lightheartedly.
Doug Bosley (back row, center) and Team Festivus at the 2023 Swim Across America – Boston open water swim.
Doug began treatment at Mass General Cancer Center, one of the beneficiaries of the Swim Across America – Boston community swim. The swim also supports Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Unfortunately, the cancer has quickly progressed and has spread to his liver and brain.
After initial treatments were unsuccessful, Doug was put on BRAF therapy, a combination of medicines that can shrink or slow the growth of metastatic melanoma in those whose tumors have a BRAF mutation. The treatment helped with his liver and lymph nodes but not his brain due to the blood-brain barrier.
He is currently being treated with two immunotherapy medicines – Yervoy and Opdivo – both which received early-stage grant funding from Swim Across America and are FDA approved for treating several different types of cancer.
“I’m doing ok, but the effects of my treatments are taking a toll,” said Doug. “My skin is incredibly sensitive, my feet are swollen to the point where it’s difficult to walk around, my head is foggy, and I have no saliva. But I’m sitting here, employed and engaged to be married – so that’s a good thing.”
Yes, Doug is engaged! After Doug was diagnosed, he proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Laura Lipcsei. The couple splits their time between their house in Somerville, Massachusetts, and the lake cabin they built together in Ontario, Canada.
“I said to Laura, ‘Now is the time to get married because I don’t know where I’ll be in a year,” joked Doug.
In addition to being thankful for Laura, Doug expresses his appreciation for his Swim Across America family, who have supported him through this journey.
Doug, back row center, participated in the 2009 Swim Across America – Boston Harbor swim.
“My Swim Across America family in Boston means everything to me. We started doing the swims as something fun to do together. Somewhere along the way, it became something more emotional. We’d swim, have fun, have a good cry, then come back the next year. Thirty years later and we’re still here,” shared Doug.
One member of Doug’s SAA-Boston swim group has helped him tremendously. Rick Osterberg, who himself is a cancer survivor and also received an immunotherapy pioneered with funding provided by Swim Across America, is Doug’s “cancer coach” and they swim together on Team Festivus.
“So between my wedding, turning 62 and the August 9 SAA-Boston swim, I’ve got a lot to look forward to this summer! I really want to be up there sharing my story with everyone who has supported me this past year.” said Doug.
If you’re inspired to support Doug and Team Festivus, give here.
For 15 years, Swim Across America has fueled innovative early-stage research at Fred Hutch Cancer Center and UW Medicine and helped launch the careers of dozens of young scientists. We’re proud to share details about the six most recent projects made possible through funds raised in 2022 and 2023 by Swim Across America – Seattle and the dedicated swimmers who participated. From improving patients’ quality of life to overcoming tumors’ resistance to immunotherapy, these innovative projects have the potential to dramatically enhance cancer treatment.
Inspired to Make Waves to Fight Cancer this year? Swim, volunteer or donate to SAA-Seattle at swimacrossamerica.org/seattle.
Kate Markey, MBBS, PhD, FRACP | Stem cell transplantation
Assistant Professor, Fred Hutch and UW Medicine
Project: Restoring the gut microbiome after blood stem cell transplant
Dr. Kate Markey
Background: Fred Hutch researchers have shown that while blood stem cell transplantation continues to be the most effective treatment for multiple myeloma, it can also severely damage patients’ gut microbiome, leading to strong gastrointestinal side effects and poor outcomes. Dr. Markey, a medical oncologist who studies the gut microbiome and its role in recovery from transplant, developed a study to examine whether a five-week, plant based, whole-food diet can restore patients’ beneficial gut bacteria and improve immune function and outcomes.
2024 progress statement: Dr. Markey and her colleagues opened the trial in October, and by the end of the following month they had enrolled seven patients, or one-third of their goal. They are collecting stool and blood samples and plan to analyze all of them once the trial is complete. If all goes as expected this summer they intend to use the resulting data to apply for a federal research grant to support a much larger, randomized clinical trial.
Alexandre Hirayama, MD | Blood cancers
Assistant Professor, Fred Hutch and UW Medicine
Project: Understanding how large B-cell lymphoma evades CAR T-cell therapy
Dr. Alexandre Hirayama
Background: Less than half of patients who undergo CAR T-cell therapy for large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) enjoy long-lasting remission. We’re not sure why, but the answer may lie in the tumor microenvironment. There’s still so much we don’t know about this collection of cells, stroma, and blood vessels that surround and support the tumor, including how it might suppress cancer therapies. Dr. Hirayama, who specializes in treating patients with B-cell malignancies, is studying the tumor microenvironment in minute detail to help identify and explain how patients’ tumors may mute CAR T cells’ effectiveness.
2024 progress statement: Dr. Hirayama has gathered the necessary tumor samples for these studies and refined the techniques and technologies that will allow him to study immune, stromal, and tumor cells in the tumor microenvironment. He expects to begin studying the samples in summer 2025.
Diane Tseng, MD, PhD | Lung cancer
Assistant Professor, Fred Hutch and UW Medicine
Project: Reducing inflammatory effects of immunotherapy in patients with lung cancer
Dr. Diane Tseng
Background: Many patients with lung cancer who are treated with checkpoint inhibitors experience a condition called checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis (CIP). If left untreated, CIP can cause irreversible damage. Recent research shows that immune cells called napsin A–specific T cells may be involved in mediating CIP. Dr. Tseng, an oncologist who specializes in treating patients with lung cancer, is working with McGarry Houghton, MD — a Fred Hutch and UW Medicine professor and holder of the Satya and Rao Remala Family Endowed Chair — to study napsin A–specific T cells’ role in CIP and exploring strategies for muting it.
2024 progress statement: Dr. Tseng’s work has focused on 1) developing a method for detecting napsin A– specific T cells in donor blood; 2) developing a method for taking those cells and growing more of them in the lab; and 3) creating a test to determine whether a different T cell can eliminate them. This work will establish the foundations for understanding the function of napsin A–specific T cells and the role they might play in CIP.
Emily Liang, MD | Blood cancers
Hematology/oncology Fellow, Fred Hutch and UW Medicine
Project: Mitigating serious side effects of CAR T-cell therapies in patients with blood cancers
Dr. Emily Liang
Background: While CAR T-cell therapy has revolutionized treatment for patients with blood cancers like lymphoma and multiple myeloma, it also comes with a high risk of fever, fatigue, body aches, and even neurologic impairment. Though these conditions are reversible, they can be life-threatening and prevent older and frailer patients from receiving CAR T-cell therapy at all. Dr. Liang, who specializes in acute leukemias and CAR T-cell therapy, and her mentor, Jordan Gauthier, MD, MSC, a Fred Hutch and UW professor and former Swim Across America funding recipient, want to make these treatments accessible to a wider range of patients. So, the pair launched a first of-its-kind trial to study whether a drug typically prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis called anakinra can prevent these inflammatory responses.
2024 progress statement: After treating more than 30 patients in their clinical trial, Drs. Liang and Gauthier found that prophylactic administration of anakinra did not seem to be effective in preventing cytokine release syndrome, a side effect associated with a high level of inflammation in the blood. However, prophylactic anakinra did seem to reduce the severity and duration of neurologic side effects as well as the need for steroids. Importantly, Drs. Liang and Gauthier also found that anakinra may impair the treatment’s effectiveness against tumors. Now, the pair are planning to study how anakinra mitigates inflammation in the brain, whether there may be alternative prevention strategies, and how anakinra impacts CAR T-cell function.
Saurav Kumar, PhD | Colorectal cancer
Postdoctoral Fellow, Fred Hutch
Project: Exploring new uses for existing drugs to treat colorectal cancer
Dr. Saurav Kumar
Background: Colorectal cancer is one of several cancers driven by a process called gene fusion, in which two independent genes combine incorrectly and begin producing proteins that can lead to cancer. And though a range of drugs have been developed to target these fusions and stop the mechanism that promotes cancer growth, they’ve so far been ineffective against colorectal cancer. However, Dr. Kumar, who studies metastasis, recently discovered that patients with colon cancer who receive TRK inhibitors (TRKi) experience a drop in TRK fusion protein levels, suggesting that these inhibitors may be degrading the cancer-causing fusion proteins. He plans to study the interaction that causes this protein degradation with the goal of one day using TRKi to create more effective therapies for patients with this form of cancer.
2024 progress update: Dr. Kumar and his colleagues have developed three protein degraders, called PROTACs, based on an FDA-approved TRKi. Now they plan to begin testing them on colorectal cancer cells in the lab to better understand the mechanism that leads to TRK fusion protein degradation — which could one day inform the development of targeted therapies for patients with these cancers.
Yapeng Su, PhD | Pancreatic cancer
Postdoctoral Fellow, Fred Hutch
Project: Overcoming solid tumors’ resistance to immunotherapies
Dr. Yapeng Su
Background: Pancreatic cancer is notoriously difficult to treat. Though we’ve found a protein on tumor cells that would seemingly make for a good immunotherapy target, treatments that have been studied and validated in the lab fail in patients — likely due to unique characteristics of the tumor microenvironment. Using technology that allows us to see the interaction of cells within tumors and better understand how they influence one another, Dr. Su, who studies adoptive cellular immunotherapy, is examining the mechanisms that cause immunotherapies to fail and exploring techniques to overcome them.
2024 progress statement: After completing a detailed study of samples from tumors previously treated with adoptive T cell therapy, Dr. Su found that they contained several cell types that were both potentially immunosuppressive and arranged in distinct patterns throughout the tumor microenvironment. He also identified several subtypes of T cells (whose role is to attack cancer cells) that no longer functioned properly. In the coming months, Dr. Su plans to further analyze the T-cell subtypes and their placement within the tumor microenvironment to better understand why they stop working. What he finds could one day help us better engineer T cells to overcome those immunosuppressive forces.
Since 2009, Swim Across America has contributed more than $5.3 million for cancer research at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. Funds raised by the event and by the motivated swimmers who participate enable early-career investigators to pursue groundbreaking research that can improve care for patients in Seattle and beyond. Investigators who received funding in previous years continue to build on research made possible by Swim Across America to advance understanding of breast cancer, lymphoma, pancreatic cancer, and sarcoma. We are delighted to provide this year’s update on the projects you’ve supported below. Don’t forget to register for this year’s Swim Across America – Seattle!
Dr. Meghan Flanagan
Meghan R. Flanagan, MD, MPH | Breast Cancer
Physician and affiliate investigator, Fred Hutch; Assistant professor of Surgery, UW Medicine
Project: Association of HSD3B1 (1245C) genotype with recurrence among post-menopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive, HER2- negative breast cancer
Background: Anti-estrogen endocrine therapy reduces the risk of recurrence and improves breast cancer mortality among individuals with hormone-receptor positive breast cancer. However, approximately one-quarter of patients are inherently resistant or develop resistance to endocrine therapy. Ultimately, this research may allow us to identify people with innate endocrine resistance and develop novel therapeutics and treatment strategies.
Progress statement 2022: Swim Across America’s initial support helped our team evaluate whether there is an association between a common single nucleotide variation in a gene called HSD3B1 (which is involved in hormone biosynthesis) and breast cancer outcomes. Using an extensive collection of clinical and pathologic data about patients and their tumors, we demonstrated that patients with two copies of the variant in the HSD3B1 gene had a five-fold increased risk of developing metastatic breast cancer, compared to people who did not have this variant.
In July 2022, we published findings from Swim Across America-supported research in the Annals of Surgical Oncology. Based on these results, our team received funding to study whether inheriting two copies of the variant HSD3B1 gene — which occurs in 10% to 15% of patients with estrogen receptor-positive, post-menopausal breast cancer — decreases the effectiveness of anti-estrogen medications, which are used universally in this population. Our results could indicate the need for alternative treatment strategies for these patients.
2023 update: 33 of 60 patients have completed the study, and frozen tissue from 25 patients has been analyzed for estrogen and androgen concentrations. Although only two patients had two copies of the variant HSD3B1 gene, and we do not have enough information to make conclusions about the variant versus wild-type gene, it is likely that our analysis will be the most comprehensive steroid profiling of normal and tumor breast tissue. We are also in the process of finalizing data for our primary study outcomes and anticipate this will be completed in the late spring.
Dr. Sita Kugel
Sita Kugel, PhD | Pancreatic Cancer
Assistant professor, Fred Hutch
Project: Exploring novel functions of HMGA2 in pancreatic cancer
Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is an extremely lethal disease with an overall five-year survival rate of 12%. Recent work has led to the discovery that PDA can be subdivided into two principal subtypes based on transcriptional signatures: classical and basal. The basal subtype is more aggressive and leads to the worst overall survival. Our laboratory has been focused on understanding the mechanisms that drive each subtype with the aim of identifying therapeutic vulnerabilities that may be exploited in the clinic.
Progress statement 2022: Within an already challenging malignancy, certain transcriptional subtypes of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma are especially lethal. Funding from Swim Across America is helping us understand what defines each subtype, as well as their susceptibilities and mechanisms of resistance, to help to identify potential new treatment options for this devastating disease. Our team has recreated the classical and basal subtypes in the lab and managed to explore the differences between the two, including how they acquire resistance to first-line therapies. Our work will lay the groundwork for more targeted treatments for PDAs that can also account for their respective escape mechanisms, thereby improving outcomes.
2023 update: Some of our recent work showed that basal pancreatic tumors are sensitive to cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors. Our team is trialing these CDK inhibitors in patients who are also receiving standard-of-care treatment, while also looking at whether a different treatment combination affects one tumor subtype more than the other.
Simultaneously, we are using pancreatic tumor tissue taken from patients and grown in mice to test new treatment strategies in an environment similar to the human body.
Dr. Jonathan Sham
Jonathan Sham, MD, MBEE | Pancreatic Cancer
Surgical oncologist and assistant professor, Fred Hutch and UW Medicine
Project: Novel drug-eluting biopolymer to reduce pancreatic fistula and improve outcomes after pancreatic surgery
Background: Pancreatectomy, or removal of the pancreas, is the mainstay of any potentially curative treatment regimen for pancreatic cancer. Despite an overall improvement in the safety of pancreatic surgery over the past several decades, the morbidity of pancreatectomy remains exceedingly high. The most significant complication after pancreatic surgery is postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF), which occurs in up to 50% of cases. The use of a biopolymer, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), is an innovative approach to prevent leakage of pancreatic juice from the cut surface of the gland, while drug-eluting microspheres aims to simultaneously reduce baseline pancreatic fluid secretion. This novel dual-action approach will be tested in a validated rat model of POPF with the goal of rapid clinical translation and patient benefit.
Progress statement 2022: Swim Across America is advancing our work to improve outcomes after pancreatic surgery. Your support is enabling a trailblazing collaboration between surgeons and bioengineers to develop novel ways to stop leaks after pancreas surgery and help patients live healthier and longer lives. We have also expanded our team and published our groundbreaking research, including our development of a preclinical model for studying POPF. We continue to move this work closer to helping patients with pancreatic cancer.
2023 update: We are continuing to optimize biopolymer performance and handling characteristics for use during surgery. We are also including a chemical approach that clams use to adhere to underwater rocks in order to maximize adhesion on wet surfaces during surgery.
Dr. Jordan Gauthier
Jordan Gauthier, MD, MsC | Lymphoma
Physician and assistant professor, Fred Hutch and UW Medicine
Project: Factors associated with failure of CD19 CAR T cells in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Background: We are investigating two factors — T-cell dysfunction during manufacturing and the suppressive tumor microenvironment — that may play a critical role in the failure of CD19-targeting chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy for people with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We are also working to identify potential targets to improve outcomes of CAR T-cell therapy for patients with DLBCL.
Progress statement 2022: The Swim Across America grant allowed us to explore two parallel questions. First, to understand whether exhausted T cells are associated with treatment failure after CAR T-cell therapy for patients with DLBCL, we analyzed blood samples from 34 patients treated on a clinical trial. While we did not confirm an association between exhausted T cells and treatment failure, we found that a higher proportion of terminally differentiated T cells may have an adverse impact on the outcomes of CAR T-cell therapy. Second, to determine if an exhausted gene signature in T cells from lymphoma tumors is associated with treatment failure, we analyzed pre-treatment tumor biopsies from 17 patients receiving CAR T-cell therapy. In patients who had a complete response to CAR T-cell therapy, we found that T-cell-associated genes were overexpressed compared to patients not in complete response after treatment. Our results suggest that tumors more susceptible to T-cell infiltration might respond better to CAR T-cell therapy.
Funds from Swim Across America also supported the development of two cutting-edge approaches, CITE-seq and CODEX, that allow us to study proteins and DNA from single cells and take 3D photographs of biopsies before and after therapy. These tools will help us better understand why CAR T-cell therapy does not work in some patients. Identifying why treatment fails at a single-cell level will have a dramatic impact on how we design the next generation of CAR T-cell therapies.
2023 update: Using tools we developed with the support of Swim Across America, we are now able to specifically study how CAR T cells “talk” to other cells inside lymphoma tumors. We are also now using CITE-seq to analyze 20 tumor biopsy samples from patients undergoing CAR T-cell therapy in clinical trials. We are looking at associations between specific immune cell populations and outcomes, such as anti-cancer effects and toxicity.
Dr. John Lee
John K. Lee, MD, PhD | Sarcoma
Previously physician and assistant professor, Fred Hutch and UW Medicine; currently at UCLA
Project: Development of STEAP1 chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy for Ewing sarcoma
Background: Approximately 200 adolescents and young adults in the U.S. are diagnosed each year with Ewing sarcoma, a cancer of the soft tissue and bone. When Ewing sarcoma spreads, patients face a very grim prognosis, as no available treatments eradicate the disease. If successful, our studies will help lay the groundwork for the development and clinical translation of a first-in-field CAR T-cell immunotherapy for Ewing sarcoma that targets the protein STEAP1.
Progress statement 2022: Swim Across America funding helped us evaluate whether a novel CAR T-cell therapy targeting the protein STEAP1 could be an effective strategy to treat patients with Ewing sarcoma. Our results indicate that human Ewing sarcoma tumor models commonly express STEAP1 and are susceptible to killing by STEAP1 CAR T cells. In related studies, we have also determined that STEAP1 CAR T-cell therapy appears safe in a novel mouse model that we engineered to express human STEAP1. We have seen highly promising activity in multiple preclinical models of Ewing sarcoma, and we licensed the technology to a company for clinical development.
2023 update: The Swim Across America grant enabled studies, now complete, confirming the anti-cancer activity of STEAP1 CAR T-cell therapy in preclinical models of Ewing sarcoma. A clinical trial in humans at Fred Hutch and Seattle Children’s Hospital is now being planned.
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.
Steve Chestler gives new meaning to the phrase Swim Across America “champion.”
“The 2022 Nassau/Suffolk-Sound to Cove charity swim was the most amazing event I have ever been to. Hearing doctors and researchers speak about the work they are doing to find a cure for this devastating disease is something my children and I will never forget. It’s what keeps Team Carolyn so focused and determined on fundraising as much as possible.”
This year is Steve and Team Carolyn’s second year supporting Swim Across America and they have made a remarkable impact in those two years raising over $400,000 combined. In 2022, Team Carolyn was the number two fundraising team for Swim Across America.
The team is named in memory of Steve’s wife, Carolyn Jaenisch, who was diagnosed with Terminal Adenocarcinoma in July 2021 and passed away just six months later. Carolyn and Steve have a daughter, Caitlin, and a son, Gregory. Carolyn was an avid swimmer who swam with Long Island Masters and Excel Swim Club for 21 years on Long Island. Read more about the Chestler family here.
“After Carolyn’s passing, getting involved with Swim Across America felt like the most meaningful way our family and friends could honor her and keep her spirit alive,” said Steve.
“The community we have found in Swim Across America is unbelievable. We all want to help and do something for our loved ones, and we are all fighting for a cure. We have a huge extended family here and we are in this together.”
To further this feeling of “extended family,” this year, Team Carolyn is fundraising in support of one of their own team members, Derrick Edwin. Derrick is a seasoned triathlete who unknowingly competed in an Iron Man competition in September 2021 while having colon cancer.
Though Derrick’s Stage 4 diagnosis was shocking, he maintains a positive attitude and upbeat spirit throughout his immunotherapy treatment. And when his friend, Steve, asked him to join Team Carolyn, it was a no-brainer.
“Swim Across America has provided me with an unbeatable support system. I hope to spread hope and positivity to all my cancer warriors fighting this disease. We can beat this!” said Derrick.
If you are moved to support Team Carolyn, 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.
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.
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.
“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.
Swim Across America is excited to celebrate our top fundraisers with the 2023 WaveMaker gift! Swimmers and volunteers who raise $1,000 or more will receive an insulated 32 oz Wide-Mouth Hydro Flask water bottle.
As part of the WaveMaker club, we want you to show your SAA pride year-round with a Hydro Flask perfect for any occasion. Ideal for everyday and outdoor adventure, the Hydro Flask Wide-Mouth vacuum water bottle packs 32 oz. of hydration, and keeps your beverage hot or cold for hours. Want to take this awesome item home with you? Register today and set your fundraising goal to WaveMaker!
To date, Swim Across America has contributed close to $4.2 million for clinical research at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and Fred Hutch. Starting in 2019, funds raised from the SAA-Seattle have gone to support breakthrough research by young investigators. In 2021, six grants were awarded to researchers focused on: lymphoma, sarcoma, breast, pancreatic, and urological cancer research. Below, the grant recipients share progress statements on their research over the last year.
Dr. Meghan Flanagan
Dr. Meghan Flanagan Research focus: Breast cancer Project title: Association of HSD3B1 (1245C) genotype with recurrence among post-menopausal women with estrogen receptor- positive, HER2- negative breast cancer Background: Endocrine (antiestrogen) therapy reduces the risk of recurrence and improves mortality among women with hormone-receptor positive breast cancer. However, approximately one-quarter of women are inherently resistant or develop resistance to endocrine therapy. Ultimately, this research may allow us to identify women with innate endocrine resistance and develop novel therapeutics and treatment strategies. Progress Statement: The SAA funds were used to evaluate whether an association exists between a mutation in a gene (HSD3B1, involved in hormone biosynthesis) and breast cancer outcomes. Using extensively collected clinical and pathologic data about patient demographics, tumor and treatment data and recurrence rates, we were able to show that women with two mutations in the HSD3B1 gene had higher rates of distant metastatic recurrence compared to those women who did not have this mutation. Future studies will be forthcoming to determine how this mutation may decrease the effectiveness of anti-estrogen medications that are used universally in post-menopausal ER+ breast cancer. This mutation is found in up to 15 percent of ER+ post-menopausal breast cancer patients, and if shown to decrease the effectiveness of anti-estrogen medications, there would be potential indications for alternative treatment strategies in these patients.
Dr. Sita Kugel
Dr. Sita Kugel Research focus: Pancreatic Cancer Project title: Exploring novel functions of HMGA2 in pancreatic cancer Background: Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDA) is an extremely lethal disease with a 5-year survival rate of less than 10%. Recent work has led to the discovery that PDA can be subdivided into two principal subtypes based on transcriptional signatures: classical and quasi-mesenchymal (QM). The QM PDA subtype is more aggressive and has the worst overall survival. Our laboratory has been focused on understanding of the mechanisms that drive each subtype in hopes of identifying therapeutic vulnerabilities that may be exploited in the clinic. Progress Statement: Within an already challenging malignancy, there are transcriptional subtypes of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma that are especially lethal. Understanding what defines each subtype, as well as their susceptibilities and mechanisms of resistance, will help to identify new targeted therapies or combination therapies and lead to more treatment options for this devastating disease.
Dr. Jonathan Sham
Dr. Jonathan Sham Research focus: Pancreatic Cancer Project title: Novel Drug- eluting Biopolymer to Reduce Pancreatic Fistula and Improve Outcomes After Pancreatic Surgery Background: Pancreatectomy is the mainstay of any potentially curative treatment regimen for pancreatic cancer. Despite an overall improvement in the safety of pancreatic surgery over the past several decades, the morbidity of pancreatectomy remains exceedingly high. The most significant complication after pancreatic surgery is postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF), which occurs in up to 60% of cases. The use of a biopolymer, poly(Nisopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), is an innovative method to prevent leakage of pancreatic juice from the cut surface of the gland, while the suspended octreotide- eluting microspheres will simultaneously reduce baseline pancreatic fluid secretion. This novel dual-action approach will be tested in a validated rat model of POPF with the goal of rapid clinical translation and patient benefit. Progress Statement: Swim Across America is advancing our work to improve outcomes after pancreatic surgery. Their support is enabling a trailblazing collaboration between surgeons and bioengineers to develop novel ways to stop leaks after pancreas surgery and make patients live happier, healthier and longer lives. Polymer synthesis is moving forward, and two teams are working on creating and testing polymers with different characteristics for use in our animal experiments.
Dr. Jordan Gauthier
Dr. Jordan Gauthier Research focus: CAR T-cell therapy Project title: Factors associated with failure of CD19 CAR T cells in diffuse large B cell lymphoma Background: We are investigating two factors potentially critical to failure of CD19 CAR T-cell therapy for DLBCL: a) T cell dysfunction, impeding the generation of functional CAR T cells during manufacturing; b) the suppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Our studies will better characterize T cell dysfunction and the TME as core mechanisms of failure of CD19 CAR T cells and identify potential targets to improve outcomes of CAR T-cell therapy for DLBCL. Progress Statement: The Swim Across America grant allowed us to explore the two following aims. Aim 1: To determine whether exhausted T cells are associated with treatment failure after CAR T-cell therapy for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We analyzed blood samples from 34 DLBCL patients treated on a clinical trial of CAR T-cell therapy. While we did not confirm an association between exhausted T cells and treatment failure, we found that a higher proportion of terminally differentiated T cells may have an adverse impact on the outcomes of CAR T-cell therapy. Aim 2: To determine if an exhausted gene signature in T cells from lymphoma tumors is associated with treatment failure, we analyzed pre-treatment tumor biopsies obtained from 17 patients receiving CAR T-cell therapy. In biopsies from patients in complete response after CAR T-cell therapy, we found that T cell-associated genes were overexpressed compared to patients not in complete response after treatment. This suggests that tumors more permissive to T cell infiltration might respond better to CAR T-cell therapy. So far, we have not confirmed that an exhausted gene signature is associated with treatment failure. The SAA grant has been used to design and optimize novel assays that will allow us to further address this aim in the future.
Dr. John Lee
Dr. John Lee Research focus:Sarcoma Project title: Development of STEAP1 chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy for Ewing sarcoma Background: Ewing sarcoma (ES) is a soft tissue/bone cancer with 200 newly diagnosed adolescents/young adults per year in the United States. Patients with metastatic dissemination face a very grim prognosis as available treatments are unable to eradicate the disease. New therapeutic approaches are needed. If successful, these studies will help lay the groundwork for the development and clinical translation of a first-in-field STEAP1 CAR T-cell immunotherapy for ES. Progress Statement: We applied the Swim Across America grant to evaluate whether a novel chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy targeting the protein STEAP1 could be an effective strategy to treat Ewing sarcoma. Our results indicate that human Ewing sarcoma tumor models commonly express STEAP1 and are susceptible to killing by STEAP1 CAR T cells. In related studies, we have also determined that STEAP1 CAR T cell therapy appears safe in a novel mouse model that we engineered to express human STEAP1. Together, these findings provide the rational to translate STEAP1 CAR T cell therapy into clinical trials for Ewing sarcoma in the near future.
Dr. Adam Gadzinski
Dr. Adam Gadzinski Research focus:Urological cancer Project title: Interstate Telehealth to improve access to urological cancer care among rural patients. Background: Timely access to urological cancer care is challenging for rural patients who often travel great distances to tertiary centers. This is particularly true for patients residing in the WWAMI (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, Idaho) region. We hypothesize that Telehealth will provide similar patient satisfaction, reduced costs, and earlier time to treatment. We further hypothesize that implementation of the interstate Telehealth program will decrease referral to visit time and increase clinical efficiency. Lastly, we hypothesize that providing Telehealth appointments will increase the frequency of referrals from rural areas. We anticipate that implementation of our interstate Telehealth program will improve access to urological cancer care for rural and underserved patients throughout the WWAMI region. Progress Statement: Our SAA grant has been used to support our telemedicine research efforts to assess the quality of telemedicine visits for cancer patients from rural areas and the Pacific Northwest states. We have demonstrated that telemedicine visits save cancer patients and their families a significant amount of time and money that would have been spent traveling to doctor appointments. We also found that patients are very satisfied with receiving cancer care remotely via telemedicine, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Swim Across America 