Tag: fundraising

Swim Across America – Seattle Shares 2024 Impact Report and Progress Updates

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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.

Swim Across America Presents the ASCA 2025 World Clinic Scholarship

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Swim Across America is proud to announce a partnership with the American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) to sponsor a scholarship for a deserving coach to attend the 2025 ASCA World Clinic in Reno, Nevada, September 2-5.

The Swim Across America Scholarship provides full registration for the ASCA World Clinic and covers accommodation at the Peppermill Reno hotel and up to $500 for travel.

The ASCA World Clinic, now in its 58th year, is the largest and most comprehensive annual gathering in the sport of swimming. The event features 50 speakers covering a wide range of topics, an expansive exhibition hall, coaching demonstration at an Endless Pool, and numerous socials and networking opportunities.

This initiative is part of SAA’s commitment to supporting ASCA advancing the sport of swimming and the professional growth of dedicated coaches across the nation.

Applicants must be ASCA members who have never attended a World Clinic. Interested candidates are encouraged to complete the online application by February 28, 2025. The scholarship recipient will be notified by March 31, 2025.

“We deeply appreciate Swim Across America for their generosity and dedication to supporting the coaching community,” said ASCA CEO Jennifer LaMont. “This scholarship underscores their acknowledgment of the critical role coaches play in developing athletes and teams. We can’t wait to welcome the scholarship recipient to Reno this September.”

For more information about the ASCA World Clinic and the Swim Across America scholarship, and to apply, go to www.ascaworldclinic.com.

About Swim Across America
Swim Across America is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds for cancer research through swimming-related events. Since its inception in 1987, Swim Across America has raised over $100M to fund groundbreaking cancer research and clinical trials. Learn more at www.swimacrossamerica.org.

About ASCA
The American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) is the professional association for swim coaches dedicated to inspiring, supporting, and advocating for coaches in the US and worldwide. Through education, certification, and professional development, ASCA empowers coaches to lead swimmers toward excellence while advancing the sport of swimming. Learn more at www.swimmingcoach.org.

CSCAA Honors Swim Across America CEO, Rob Butcher, with Richard E. Steadman Award

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Congratulations to Swim Across America President and CEO, Rob Butcher, for receiving the prestigious Richard Steadman Award from the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA).

This recognition honors his exceptional leadership, dedication, and contributions to the swimming community and the fight against cancer with Swim Across America.

As the President and CEO of Swim Across America since 2016, Butcher has guided the organization through tremendous growth and success. Under his leadership, Swim Across America has continued to expand its reach, with events across the country raising millions of dollars annually to support cancer research and treatment. His passion for SAA’s mission is deeply personal: both his grandmother and stepmother were cancer survivors, and his mother, whom he calls his hero, lost her battle with appendix cancer in 2007.  

Before joining SAA, Butcher served as Executive Director for U.S. Masters Swimming (USMS) for seven years. During his tenure, he transformed USMS into a professionally managed organization, developing the creation of the Masters Coach Certification and Adult Learn-to-Swim programs. Under his leadership, membership grew by more than 50%, and revenue tripled to $3.6 million.  

A Georgia Southern University graduate and competitor in the 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials, Butcher has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to the sport of swimming.

His leadership at SAA has been instrumental in expanding its impact, with the organization raising over $100 million for cancer research since its inception in 1987.  

“Rob Butcher exemplifies the very spirit of the Steadman Award—leadership, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to serving others,” said Samantha Barany, Executive Director of the CSCAA. “Through the water, he fights cancer every day, and we are all better off for his dedication to making a difference. Rob has profoundly impacted the swimming community and every community where Swim Across America has a presence. His passion for people and his ability to spread happiness wherever he goes are truly inspiring.”

Rob Butcher resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife Allison and their twin boys. He remains an active advocate for cancer research and a unifying force within the swimming community. His receipt of the Richard Steadman Award highlights not only his professional achievements but also his heartfelt commitment to making a lasting impact in the fight against cancer. For more information about Swim Across America and its mission, visit swimacrossamerica.org.  

SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – CHICAGO CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF MAKING WAVES TO FIGHT CANCER

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In 1994, Swim Across America – Chicago debuted as a 6-mile relay swim in beautiful Lake Michigan and raised $15,000. Since then, the annual community event has grown to raise more than $5 million for their local beneficiaries.

On Saturday, August 3, hundreds of swimmers, volunteers, and supporters will gather at beautiful Lake Michigan to celebrate 30 years of Making Waves to Fight Cancer! Proceeds from the event support cancer research at Rush Medical Center. 

For some swimmers, like 14-year-old Alondra Beening, it will be their first time diving into the lake on a meaningful and inspiring day. For others, like Mary McCullagh and Mary Holloway, the day represents a three decade long commitment to the Swim Across America mission. 

“I swam at our first swim in 1994 and I’ve had the privilege of watching the community’s support grow over the years,” shared Mary McCullagh. 

Mary credits a community of “doers and givers” for the success and longevity of Swim Across America – Chicago. Her family first became involved not because they had a personal connection to the cause, but because they grew up with a servant leadership mindset.

Mary McCullagh, center, at the inaugural Swim Across America – Chicago event in 1994.

“I have 10 brothers and sisters and we were taught to recognize a need and do something to help. Whether it is time, talent, or effort, we can all do something good in this world,” said Mary M.

“Even when I didn’t live in Chicago, my band of siblings helped to keep our support going. This event has been successful for 30 years thanks to this community of leaders who all want to do good.”

Mary Halloway’s involvement began 29 years ago as a passerby supporting her brother, Russ. Russ was an endurance swimmer who swam at SAA-Chicago and became the resident “event day chef” preparing food and snacks for the swimmers on the morning of the event.

Mary Halloway joins Swim Across America – Chicago for the 12th year this year. She was introduced to the organization by her brother, Russ Haffner.

“I started riding my bike down the lakefront to see him swim, and I would scream ‘Go, Russ!’ every time his arm was raised as he swam,” Mary H. said. “I don’t know how, but somehow he heard me every time, and he’d give me a wave on each stroke.”

Unfortunately, Russ passed away a few months after a lymphoma diagnosis in 2011. The SAA-Chicago leadership team knew they wanted his memory to live on so they created a special award to recognize outstanding community members, named the Russ Haffner Award.

Mary’s connection to SAA-Chicago became more personal when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2010. She was treated at Rush with chemotherapy and a hysterectomy, and was given the all-clear in early 2011. Though she wasn’t a natural swimmer, Mary was determined to swim at SAA-Chicago and honor her brother’s memory. This year will be her 12th year participating in the event.

The 30th annual event will also recognize rookie participants – those who are swimming for the first time!

Alondra Beening has watched her dad, Mark Beening, swim at SAA-Chicago for the last 10 years and this year, at 14 years old, she will join him as a 1-mile swimmer. Alondra has been swimming her whole life and on a swim team since she was eight years old. She’s excited to join her dad and honor their loved ones through the community swim.  

“She’s always wanted to swim with me since she was younger, and we are so happy to finally have this opportunity – and it is my 10th year swimming so it’s really special” shared Mark. “Unfortunately, we have had friends and family members who have been diagnosed with cancer, some of which we have lost. We want to dedicate this swim to them.” 

Swim Across America – Chicago is led by co-event directors, Alyse Mauro Mason and Katie Marchetti. Both have watched not only the community support grow, but also the waves of impact the event has had on the local beneficiaries. 

“Our event has supported Rush since 2012 and we’re proud to have donated more than $2 million to the cancer center here in Chicago,” said Alyse.

Co-event director, Alyse Mauro Mason, right, presented the 2023 Russ Haffner Award to Cathi McNamara at the 2023 SAA-Chicago event.

“Swim Across America – Chicago grants early-stage research and helps doctors begin and continue research that may be on the brink of a breakthrough,” Alyse continued. “We often hear that our doctors have received additional grants or NIH funding thanks to the findings and outcomes they have gathered from a project we have funded.”

SAA-Chicago hosted their fourth annual golf outing in June 2024 at Cog Hill Golf and Country Club. The event also raises funds for Rush Medical Center and will celebrate its fifth year on June 16, 2025.

In fact, in 2022, the NIH honored Rush physician scientist Dr. Faraz Bishehsari with the Director’s Transformative Research Award, which includes funding for his innovative pancreatic cancer research. The award, one of the NIH’s most prestigious and exclusive, is given to “exceptionally creative” scientists proposing high-risk, high-impact research. Dr. Bishehsari’s research was also supported by our Swim Across America – Chicago charity swim.

Though the swim course has changed – and the number of participants has grown exponentially – one thing remains: Swim Across America – Chicago is a community dedicated to Making Waves to Fight Cancer year after year.

Register to swim or volunteer at the August 3 Swim Across America – Chicago open water swim, or donate at swimacrossamerica.org/chicago. 

Read more stories about Swim Across America – Chicago here.

Maya Merhige x Swim Across America Media Highlights

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Media coverage celebrating Swim Across America – San Francisco participant and marathon swimmer, Maya Merhige. Learn about Maya and her record-breaking marathon swims at swimacrossamerica.org/maya. For media inquiries, email Jeni Howard.

Cook Strait Swim – March 2025

Berkeley High Jacket: “Teen swimmer Maya Merhige makes waves around the world”

Radio New Zealand (RNZ): “Maya swims everything”

SwimSwam: “17-Year-Old Open Water Swimmer Maya Merhige Conquers New Zealand’s Cook Strait”

Swimming World: “Maya Merhige, 17, Adds Crossing of New Zealand’s Cook Strait”

World Open Water Swimming Association: “17-Year-Old Marathon Swimmer Maya Merhige Conquers New Zealand’s Cook Strait, Continuing Her Mission to Make Waves to Fight Cancer”

The Sports Column: “Making Waves to Fight Cancer, 17-Year-Old Maya Merhige Conquers New Zealand’s Cook Strait”

KPIX-TV (CBS, 5): “Berkeley high school student completes daunting open water swim in New Zealand”

SAAswim.com: “17-Year-Old Marathon Swimmer Maya Merhige Conquers New Zealand’s Cook Strait, Continuing Her Mission to Make Waves to Fight Cancer”

English Channel Swim and Triple Crown – July 2024

NBC News Now: Teen swims English Channel to help fight cancer

People Magazine: “16-Year-Old Successfully Swims the English Channel — Up Next? Her Senior Year of High School”

New York Times: At 17, She’s Already Conquered Some of the World’s Big Swims

The Sports Column: “16-Year-Old Maya Merhige Swims English Channel, Raises +$100,000 to Fight Cancer”

SwimSwam: “16-YEAR-OLD MAYA MERHIGE SUCCESSFULLY SWIMS THE ENGLISH CHANNEL”

Berkeleyside (updated): “Berkeley teen braves sharks and hyperthermia in world record swims. What keeps her going?”

Yahoo! Sport: “16-Year-Old Successfully Swims the English Channel — Up Next? Her Senior Year of High School”

Swimming World: “Maya Merhige Swims English Channel at Age 16 to Complete Open Water Triple Crown”

Outdoor Swimmer: “16-year-old Maya Merhige to swim English Channel”

SwimSwam: “16-Year-Old Marathon Swimmer Maya Merhige to Tackle English Channel”

The Sports Column: “Maya Merhige: ‘I Swim for Each and Every Person Who Has Ever Been Touched by Cancer’”

News and Views on the State of Swimming: “MAYA MERHIGE, 16, TO TACKLE ENGLISH CHANNEL & EARN TRIPLE CROWN IN AID OF CANCER RESEARCH”

East Bay Times: In brief: Berkeley girl, 16, swims English Channel, helps fight cancer

SF Gate: California Teen Swimmer Makes History With ‘Triple Crown’

The Mercury News: Berkeley teen swims English Channel, completing Open Water Triple Crown for a greater cause

SwimTrek: ‘The Girl That Does Those Crazy Swims’: Maya Merhige

20 Bridges Swim, Manhattan, NY – July 2023

ABC World News Tonight: “15-YEAR-OLD SWIMMER TAKES A LAP AROUND MANHATTAN”

WABC-TV: “15-YEAR-OLD GIRL SWIMS 28.5 MILES AROUND MANHATTAN TO RAISE MONEY FOR CANCER RESEARCH”

ABC “Good Morning America”: “15-YEAR-OLD MAYA MERHIGE SWAM AROUND THE ISLAND OF MANHATTAN”

ABC News Live: “ABC NEWS PRIME: SEARCH FOR PA FLOOD VICTIMS; AMERICA’S FORGOTTEN IMMIGRANTS; TEEN’S EPIC SWIM LAP”

PEOPLE: “15-YEAR-OLD GIRL TAKES 28.5-MILE SWIM AROUND MANHATTAN TO RAISE FUNDS FOR CANCER RESEARCH”

Access Daily Hollywood: “SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – SOCIAL STAR OF THE WEEK”

Swimmer’s Daily: “15-YEAR-OLD GIRL SWIMS 28.5 MILES AROUND MANHATTAN TO RAISE MONEY FOR CANCER RESEARCH”

Breitbart: “CALIFORNIA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT SWIMS 28.5 MILES AROUND MANHATTAN FOR CANCER RESEARCH”

Upworthy: “TEEN COMPLETES A 28.5-MILE SWIM AROUND MANHATTAN TO RAISE FUNDS FOR CANCER RESEARCH”

CNBC “MAKE IT”: “THIS 15-YEAR-OLD SWAM 28.5 MILES AROUND THE ISLAND OF MANHATTAN: ‘I DIDN’T KNOW THAT I WAS BREAKING RECORDS’”

The Sports Column: “TEEN CONQUERS SWIMMING CHALLENGE IN FUNDRAISER FOR CANCER RESEARCH”

Swimming World: “MAYA MERHIGE, 15, COMPLETES 20 BRIDGES SWIM AROUND MANHATTAN FOR CHARITY”

KTVU-TV (FOX, 2): “BERKELEY TEEN MARKS ANOTHER FEAT, BECOMING ONE OF THE YOUNGEST TO FINISH 28.5 MILE SWIM AROUND MANHATTAN”

WQAD-TV (ABC, 8): “15-YEAR-OLD SWIMS AROUND MANHATTAN, UNDER 20 BRIDGES TO RAISE MONEY FOR CANCER”

KTVU FOX2 San Francisco: “BERKELEY TEEN MAKES SWIMMING HISTORY”

Kaiwi (Molokai) Channel Swim – January 2023

SwimSwam: “27 HOURS LATER, 15-YEAR-OLD MAYA MERHIGE BECOMES YOUNGEST TO SWIM 28-MILE KAIWI CHANNEL”

Lake Tahoe – July 2022

KTVU FOX2 San Francisco: “14-YEAR-OLD BREAKS SWIMMING RECORD IN LAKE TAHOE”

Catalina Channel – September 2021

SwimSwam: “14-YEAR-OLD MAYA MERHIGE BECOMES YOUNGEST WOMAN TO SWIM ACROSS CATALINA CHANNEL”

16-Year-Old Marathon Swimmer Maya Merhige Successfully Swims the English Channel and Raises More than $100,000 to Fight Cancer

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Berkeley, California, Resident Is Now One of the Youngest in History to Complete the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming and Makes Waves to Fund Cancer Research through Swim Across America

Maya Merhige has done it again! The 16-year-old marathon swimmer has just successfully conquered the English Channel (20.5 miles or 33 km), making her one of the youngest swimmers in history to achieve the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming, which includes the English Channel, Catalina Channel and Manhattan 20 Bridges swims. Maya swam the English Channel in just 11 hours and 39 minutes on July 13, 2024. She undertook the iconic English Channel swim and her other marathon swims to make waves to fight cancer and raise funds for the nonprofit Swim Across America, which funds innovative cancer treatments and clinical trials. 

Maya Merhige, a 16-year-old marathon swimmer from San Francisco, successfully completed the English Channel swim earning her the prestigious Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming.

Maya earned her stripes toward the Triple Crown and broke swimming records in the past by completing the Catalina Channel and Manhattan 20 Bridges swims. In September 2021, at 14 years old, Maya broke the record as the youngest woman in history to successfully swim the 20-mile Catalina Channel, finishing in 10 hours and 48 minutes. In 2023, at 15 years old, Maya was one of the youngest swimmers to successfully complete the 28.5-mile 20 Bridges swim around Manhattan Island, which took her 8 hours and 43 minutes.

“We are beyond proud of Maya and her determination and grit to swim these swims,” said Maya’s mom Liz Tung. “We never imagined Maya, who was just nine years old when she swam her first Swim Across America – San Francisco open water swim, would find such a passion for open water swimming and take her swimming so far. Earning the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming at just 16 years old is just incredible! We are thrilled for her!”

Maya also holds the world record as the youngest woman to swim the 21-mile length, 12-mile width, and 10.8-mile Vikingsholm courses of Lake Tahoe, earning her the Tahoe Triple Crown. She also became the youngest swimmer in the world to successfully swim the grueling 26-mile Kaiwi Molokai Channel, between the Hawaiian Islands of Molokai and Oahu, which she completed in 27 hrs and 33 mins. She also holds a record for the longest duration and joined the ranks of the “24-Hour Club” with the 108th longest non-stop open water swim in history.

Maya Merhige after completing the Catalina Channel swim in September 2021.

“I’m so grateful and excited to have successfully swum the English Channel and completed the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming,” said Maya. “Swimming the English Channel this year was a big goal of mine for many reasons. This year marks my ninth year participating with Swim Across America. With the generous support of family, friends and others, I have been able to raise an incredible $100,000 to fight cancer, which has gone directly to the Swim Across America San Francisco beneficiary UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals. This past year, I’ve also endured some health battles of my own, and my personal experience has made me even more inspired and passionate about supporting cancer research and treatments at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals. I’m also going to be a senior in high school this fall and next year will look very different for me as I will leave home to start college. So this was the year to swim the English Channel!”

Maya before her record-breaking and grueling 26-mile Kaiwi Molokai Channel swim in January 2023.

Maya’s own medical challenges began in March 2023, when after suffering a ski crash, a benign tumor on her pancreas was discovered. Suffering from chronic pain, surgeries and hospitalizations since, she has a newfound empathy for pediatric cancer patients who endure endless procedures and appointments. Despite these challenges, Maya remains undeterred. 


“Due to the pain I was experiencing earlier this year, I didn’t get to train as much as I would have liked leading up to the English Channel swim,” noted Maya. “These past six weeks, after being in the hospital for 10 nights in May, I really had to kick my training into gear. There were points while I was swimming the Channel where I wanted to give up. I swam through schools of jellyfish and had a lot of stomach pain, but I kept thinking that this doesn’t compare to what kids with cancer face. That helped me find the strength to keep going.” 

Continues Maya, “The English Channel was cold and the current was really strong. Whenever I stopped swimming to feed, I could feel myself getting pulled backwards. I knew I had to keep swimming hard, no matter how exhausted I was, in order to get past the tidal current and land on the French shore at Cap Gris Nez. But I made it!” After reaching shore and climbing the rocks to dry land, Maya had one of her favorite meals – Chow Mein – waiting for her back on the boat. 

“I’m extremely grateful for my family and friends who have supported me in this endeavor. My dad Chris Merhige and friend Kelly Gentry, who is also an accomplished English Channel swimmer, were on the boat (the Sea Leopard) as my crew during the swim,  along with the boat captain Stuart Gleeson, co-pilot Sean Marsh, and observer Jon Miell. My mom Liz Tung, sister Lucy, and extended family were back in England cheering me on. A big thank you to all of my friends and supporters who followed my journey and sent words of encouragement that were relayed to me while swimming. I’m exhausted, but very, very happy!” 

Maya’s swimming journey began at just nine years old with the Swim Across America – San Francisco open water swim when she joined Team Susan Survives!, for her dear family friend and three-time cancer survivor Susan Helmrich. The San Francisco swim raises funds for pediatric cancer research, supporting the work of Dr. Julie Saba and Dr. Robert Goldsby at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, which has been a leader in pediatric cancer research and treatment for decades, significantly increasing cure rates and improving the future for thousands of patients worldwide. UCSF’s advances in treating leukemia and other cancers have contributed to the overall five-year survival rate for childhood cancer rising to nearly 85% today, up from 10% in the 1970s. Despite this progress, childhood cancer is still a challenge and can have lasting effects on patients and their families. UCSF continues to study these long-term consequences.

Maya Merhige and SAA-San Francisco co-event director, Jackie NeJaime at the 2023 community swim.

The partnership between Swim Across America and UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital is essential for advancing cancer research and care.

Maya is also serving her second year as president of the Swim Across America – San Francisco Junior Advisory Board and her goal has been to raise $35,000 this year with the English Channel swim and the San Francisco swim, which will bring the total she has been able to raise to more than $125,000 for Swim Across America to support cancer research for UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals.

“I’d especially like to thank Dr. Julie Saba, director of the Swim Across America Research Lab at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland, for her continued support throughout my own health challenges. For that, I am forever grateful and inspired to raise even more for Swim Across America and UCSF through my swimming,” noted Maya.

Maya also plans to participate in the Swim Across America – San Francisco open water swim on October 5, 2024, swimming with her team Chasing Channels, made up of other Swim Across America – San Francisco Junior Advisory Board members and Bay Area youth. One tradition Maya has is to write the names of friends and family members battling cancer on her swim cap. “I am honored to carry the names of friends and family members affected by cancer on my cap,” she added. “I’m going to keep swimming to raise awareness and funds for fighting cancer until we have a cure.”

To learn more about Maya swimming the English Channel and to make a donation to Swim Across America, visit swimacrossamerica.org/maya.

Swim Across America is a national organization and offers open water and pool swims in 24 communities, from Boston Harbor to under the Golden Gate Bridge. Founded in 1987, Swim Across America has raised more than $100 million in the fight against cancer. Funds raised by Swim Across America and its grants have helped support the research and clinical trials for FDA approved immunotherapy medicines, including Keytruda, Opdivo, Yervoy and Tecentriq. Swim Across America is also a grant funder of the successful clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering that was published in The New England Journal of Medicine and showed a 100 percent success rate in treating patients in a phase 2 clinical trial for advanced rectal cancer with dostarlimab. Swim Across America grants support more than 60 projects each year and there are ten named Swim Across America Labs at major institutions including: Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, John Hopkins Medicine Baltimore, Rush in Chicago, Baylor Scott & White Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center in Dallas, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center New York, Infusion Center at Nantucket Cottage Hospital, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland and San Francisco, Fred Hutch Cancer Center, The Swim Across America Pediatric Research Lab at Columbia University Medical Center New York, and at Meyer Cancer Center at Weill Cornell Medicine.

More than 150 Olympians support Swim Across America, including Kate Douglass, Michael Phelps, Craig Beardsley, Elizabeth Beisel, Missy Franklin, Ryan Held, Gretchen Walsh, Donna de Varona, Rowdy Gaines, Janel Jorgensen McArdle, Bobby Hackett, Ryan Lochte, Glenn Mills, Cristina Teuscher and many more.

Swim Across America, Inc. (SAA) raises money and awareness for cancer research, prevention and treatment through swimming-related events. With the help of volunteers, and Olympians, Swim Across America is an innovator and leader in giving hope to those fighting cancer. To learn more visit swimacrossamerica.org, Facebook @SwimAcrossAmerica, and Instagram and Twitter @SAASwim.

TEAM KiDS HONORS COMMUNITY MEMBERS THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN ALL EIGHT SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – LONG ISLAND SOUND POOL SWIMS

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Dan Levy, of Chappaqua, NY, has participated in Swim Across America – Long Island Sound community swims since 2008, when his sister, Karen Marcum, passed away after a long battle with colon cancer. Swim Across America events gave Dan an opportunity to honor his sister’s memory while raising funds for cancer research.   

“I have swam my whole life and I was a coach at the Chappaqua Swim and Tennis Club for 25 years, so supporting Swim Across America is the best way to honor my sister while doing something I love,” said Dan.

Swim Across America – Long Island Sound is Swim Across America’s largest and longest-running open water swim raising more than $25 million since 1992. 

On July 27, the community will hold its 32nd annual event at the Larchmont Yacht Club and welcome more than 700 swimmers and volunteers. The community swim benefits Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Columbia University Medical Center, Cancer Support Team, and Weill Cornell Medicine.

In addition to the annual open water swim, SAA-Long Island Sound hosts many pool swims in the Westchester, NY area. And this year, Dan will swim in all eight of them!

Dan Levy with his sister, Karen Marcum, who passed after a long battle with colon cancer.

“I’m really excited because 2024 is my 8th year participating in all SAA-Long Island Sound pool swims, and thanks to the addition of the same-day pool swim at the Larchmont Shore Club, there are eight swims!” shared Dan.

Dan’s tour of pool swims started in 2016 and he has upheld the tradition ever since. In addition to the pool swims, he swam in the SAA-Long Island Sound open water swim in 2021.

Dan Levy in 2018 after completing all of the Swim Across America – Long Island Sound pool swims.

“In 2016, my Westchester Masters teammate, Carrie Dillon, and I completed the mile swim at all of the SAA-Long Island Sound pool events,” said Dan.

“I feel so proud, honored, and fortunate to use my lifelong love of swimming to help raise funds for research and treatment to support and make a difference in the lives of those battling cancer now or in the future.”

This year, Dan is swimming as captain of Team KiDS, an acronym created in memory of loved ones and community members who have fought cancer. The team has more than 20 members participating in various pool swims.

In total, Dan and his teams have raised close to $500,000 for Swim Across America – Long Island Sound.

Dan started Team Karen after his sister passed in 2008. Shortly after, the team name was changed to Team Karen and David to honor David Simon, a member of the swimming community.

“A year before my sister passed away, David Simon lost his battle with cancer,” shared Dan. 

“David was the father of two members on our summer swim team, the husband of the then-Board President, and our team’s unofficial photographer.”

The team name evolved again in 2019 to honor a young swimmer, Scarlett Chwatko. Dan’s swim team also found a unique way to ensure Scarlett’s memory lives on.

“In 2019, one of our youngest team members, 8-year-old Scarlett Chwatko, lost her fight against brain cancer. Scarlett was an inspiration to all who knew her,” said Dan.

“Her courage and perseverance were the impetus for the creation of the swim team’s Brave Bunny Award. This award is given to the swim team member who exhibits those same qualities each season.”

After she passed, Scarlett’s brother, Max, created Team BB (Brave Bunny) and the two teams have come together to form Team KiDS.

Dan Levy with Max and Scarlett Chwatko.

“The acronym is for the first names of these three remarkable individuals. Placed together, it is also for the amazing kids and their friends and families who come together every year to show how their love for swimming can make a difference in the ongoing fight against all forms of cancer,” explained Dan.

In addition to Karen, Dave, and Scarlett, Dan also swims for Masters teammates, Jason Troiano and John Needham, and his brother, Alan.

“Alan developed renal cancer and had surgery in Fall 2023. The tumor was malignant, but fortunately, the cancer had not yet metastasized and he remains cancer free to this day. I’m thankful to all the doctors and researchers who work tirelessly towards a cure to this awful disease.”

If you are moved to support Dan Levy and Team KiDS, click here.

CANCER SURVIVOR, KARA WOLTER, CELEBRATES FIVE YEARS OF MAKING WAVES WITH SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – MOTOR CITY MILE

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Kara Wolter was 26 when she was diagnosed with metastatic osteosarcoma. The bone cancer found in her left knee had spread to her lungs. Her treatment plan included six different chemotherapies and multiple surgeries, including six lung wedge recession surgeries and amputation of her left leg above the knee. She was given a high recurrence rate and a 15 to 20% chance to live another five years. 

Six years later, Kara is now 33 and “thriving as a cancer survivor!” She has had no evidence of disease for three years. 

How did Kara learn about Swim Across America?

“During a check up with my oncologist at Rogel University Cancer Center, I saw a flyer for the upcoming Swim Across America – Motor City Mile event. Proceeds from the event go towards cancer research right there at Rogel,” said Kara.

“I used to swim as a child, and now I coach for the same team I swam with, so it was an easy decision to sign up for SAA – Motor City Mile.”

Kara Wolter spoke at the 2023 Swim Across America – Motor City Mile community swim.

Her connection to the Swim Across America mission and local beneficiary made it an easy decision, like many other Swim Across America participants. 

This will be Kara’s fifth year swimming at SAA – Motor City Mile, and she hopes to hit yet another personal milestone.

“I am so close to raising more than $10,000! Five years, $10,000 raised… I know we are making an incredible impact in our community,” shared Kara.

Kara Wolter grew up swimming and is now a coach for the same team she swam with.

Since 2019, Swim Across America – Motor City Mile has raised over $500,000. In 2023, Dr. Kyoung Eun Lee, one of the grant recipients, received an $1.4M grant from NCI to study the role of low oxygen supply in pancreatic cancer

On July 12, Kara, her team, the Sassy Swimmers, and hundreds of swimmers, volunteers, and supporters hope to make an even greater impact in their community. 

“Swim Across America is so important to me. I survived a terrible cancer that I probably should not have survived and I want to make a difference in the future,” said Kara.

To support Kara and her team, click here.

SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – BOSTON AND NANTUCKET PROVIDE GRANT FUNDING FOR PROMISING GLIOBLASTOMA TREATMENT

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The New England Journal of Medicine recently published a paper that showed “dramatic and rapid” regression of glioblastoma in three patients who received groundbreaking CAR-T therapy. The clinical trial was conducted at a lab within Mass General Cancer Center that received earlier funding from Swim Across America – Boston and Swim Across America – Nantucket. 

Preliminary findings from the clinical trial are hopeful and show the promise of cell therapy for treating incurable conditions.

“The CAR-T platform has revolutionized how we think about treating patients with cancer, but solid tumors like glioblastoma have remained challenging to treat because not all cancer cells are exactly alike and cells within the tumor vary. Our approach combines two forms of therapy, allowing us to treat glioblastoma in a broader, potentially more effective way.” said Bryan Choi, MD, PhD, neurosurgeon and associate director of the Center for Brain Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Mass General Cancer Center and Department of Neurosurgery. 

MRI results from a glioblastoma clinical trial that received initial grant funding from Swim Across America – Boston. The scans show tumor size before infusion (day -7) and after infusion (day 5).

Days after a single treatment, the three patients experienced dramatic reductions in their tumors, with one patient achieving near-complete tumor regression. 

MRI scans conducted before and after treatment showed initial regression in tumor size. In time, the researchers observed tumor progression in these patients, but given the strategy’s promising preliminary results, the team will pursue strategies to extend the durability of response.

Dr. Choi expressed gratitude for the Swim Across America – Boston grant that made this research possible. Dr. Choi’s lab also receives funding from Swim Across America – Nantucket.

“Swim Across America directly supports my laboratory, which is dedicated to developing novel experimental immune therapies for patients with brain cancer. SAA funded a critical step in the early stage of discovery, allowing us to take on high risk projects that otherwise might not be possible.” said Dr. Choi. 

“Without this type of support, my lab would not be able to develop or advance new therapies toward clinical studies like the one published here.”

Swim Across America – Boston and Swim Across America – Nantucket leadership teams visited Dr. Choi at Mass General Cancer Center in March 2023, just one month before the clinical trial was launched. During the visit, SAA leaders were treated to an informative presentation and lab tour from Dr. Choi.

During the tour, Janel Jorgensen McArdle, Chief Operating Officer of Swim Across America, pointed out that Dr. Choi’s research falls in the “sweet spot” of the high risk, high reward research that Swim Across America is pursuing. 

“This promising research aligns perfectly with the opportunities that Swim Across America seeks to support. We are excited that SAA funding could help accelerate (this research) to patient trials.”

In March 2023, leaders from Swim Across America – Boston and Swim Across America – Nantucket visited Dr. Choi’s research lab at Mass General Cancer Center. Pictured: Michele Fox, Patty Gienke, Bob Hackett, Liam Hackett, Steven Laduzinski, Jamie Mannion, Janel Jorgensen McArdle, Alex Meyer, Rick Osterberg, Shep Perkins, Jill Roethke, Mike Ryan, Jessica Stokes, Kitty Tetreault.

Swim Across America’s grant agreement with beneficiaries, such as Mass General Cancer Center, requires that 100% of an SAA grant must be spent on approved research and clinical trial programs. Since 1987, SAA has granted over $100M to innovative and otherwise unfunded ideas so that the time of oncologists is protected to make progress and develop new treatments.

BRYAN STROINSKI HONORS TEAMMATE AND FRIEND THROUGH SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – NASHVILLE

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For the third year in a row, swimmer Bryan Stroinski, is participating in the Swim Across America – Nashville community charity swim with his team “Bryan’s Battlin’ Blue Waves.” Bryan and his teammates are swimming in honor of one of Bryan’s best friends Zac Cain, who sadly lost his battle with colorectal cancer at just 19 years of age.

“When I first heard about Swim Across America, I knew that it combined two of my main interests –  swimming and cancer research,” said Bryan. 

“I feel like everyone is impacted by cancer in some way, and that is true for me as well. Ten years ago I lost one of my best friends, Zac Cain, to colorectal cancer. Zac was diagnosed during his senior year of high school in 2012, during our swim season together. I had swam with Zac for many years previously and we developed a great friendship.”

Bryan Stroinski and his friend, Zac Cain, who battled colorectal cancer while in high school.

“Zac was always someone that anyone could go to for anything. He was a great training partner, teammate, and overall amazing friend. Zac was a phenomenal swimmer who had planned on swimming Division 1 with sights set on the Olympics. Zac was still competing at his highest level right up until his diagnosis, so losing someone so young to cancer was hard – and it was a complete shock to all of us who knew him.”

Bryan is swimming in this year’s SAA-Nashville charity swim to honor 10 years since Zac’s passing.

Bryan shared that Zac had been in and out of remission from his diagnosis in 2012 until his passing in March 2014. During this time, Zac had also been a participant in a couple clinical trials for cancer research drugs. 

“Because of Zac’s illness and participation in clinical trials, I feel a strong personal connection to Swim Across America’s mission,” said Bryan. 

“Funding for clinical trials is so important in cancer research and having that be the main goal for Swim Across America makes me want to support the organization in any way I can. Swim Across America’s mission to unite communities and support those affected by cancer resonates deeply with me and my family, as we believe in the power of collective action to drive positive change in the fight against this disease.”

Bryan and his team at the 2023 Swim Across America – Nashville community charity swim.

“My participation this year is important because it is the 10 year anniversary of Zac’s passing, as well as the one year anniversary of my Mom’s death. While I did not lose my Mom to cancer, she always knew how important Swim Across America and Zac were to me. I always feel my Mom’s continued support in anything I do, so my motivation to support Swim Across America this year is higher than ever, and I am excited to see what the Nashville Community can do for Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center.”

To support Bryan and his team, Bryan’s Battlin’ Blue Waves, click here.