One of the nation’s largest charity swims in the nation, the 34th annual Swim Across America – Long Island Sound open water swim aims to raise $2.5 million for cancer research — and every swimmer has a story

For the Stokes family of New Rochelle, New York, diving into Long Island Sound and swimming with thousands of others who are all making waves to fight cancer on Saturday, July 25, for the 34th annual Swim Across America – Long Island Sound open water swim, is a way of bringing hope to their own family and to others who have been touched by cancer. Team Stoked to Fight Cancer originally joined Swim Across America in 2023 in honor of Leo Stokes, who was diagnosed with leukemia in November 2022 at just 5-years-old. In February 2025, Leo rang the bell marking the end of his treatment — a milestone for him and his family. But while Leo is now in remission and doing well, his mother, Leanna Stokes, age 36, was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in October 2023. Leanna is currently participating in a breakthrough clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — one of the swim’s beneficiaries — and is on the new medication daraxonrasib, which has recently drawn national attention for its promise in treating pancreatic cancer.

“No one fights cancer alone,” noted Team Stoked to Fight Cancer team captain Brittany Freeman, Leanna’s childhood best friend, and also a New Rochelle, New York resident. “Through every high and low, it’s the Stokes’ strength and spirit that keep their family and friends going. They show us all what it means to be strong, faithful and full of hope. We swim to honor Leanna and Leo, and every brave cancer mom and kid — past, present and future.”

“My family and I have been touched very closely by cancer,” said Eddie Stokes, Leanna’s husband and Leo’s dad, who also lost his mother, Patricia, to lung cancer shortly after Leo’s diagnosis. “I swim in memory of my mom and in honor of Leo and Leanna to raise money for groundbreaking research. Leo and Leanna have both personally seen the benefits of funded research during their treatments. We rejoiced when my strong, resilient son finished his treatment and had a top-notch bell-ringing ceremony. As my wife continues her battle, I swim on the Stoked to Fight Cancer team created by Leanna’s best friend Brittany. No one fights cancer alone.”

Nearly 1,000 swimmers and hundreds of volunteers will take to the water on Saturday, July 25, 2026, for the 34th annual Swim Across America – Long Island Sound open water swim in Larchmont, New York — one of the largest Swim Across America events in the nation. Since its first Westchester County swim in 1992, Swim Across America – Long Island Sound has raised more than $32 million for cancer research, care and patient support services in the New York City area for its local beneficiaries: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Columbia University Medical Center, Weill Cornell Medicine and Cancer Support Team. Following a record-breaking fundraising year last year, the 2026 goal is to raise $2.5 million in 2026. The open water swim is joined by eight community pool swims across Westchester County running June 26 through August 1.

Swimmers and land and water volunteers (boaters, kayakers, paddle boarders) can register at swimacrossamerica.org/longislandsound.

The July 25 open water swim is a point-to-point swim that begins at the Larchmont Yacht Club, 1 Woodbine Ave., and finishes at the Larchmont Shore Club, 1 Oak Bluff Ave. Swimmers can choose 2K, 5K and 10K distances, with 10K swimmers crossing Long Island Sound from Glen Cove, New York, on Long Island, to the Larchmont Shore Club. The minimum fundraising requirement is $500 for 2K and 5K swimmers and $5,000 for 10K swimmers. For those who prefer a pool to open water, a half-mile same-day pool swim is offered at the Larchmont Shore Club.

“Every year, our Swim Across America – Long Island Sound community reminds us that this event is about hope, action and the power of coming together,” said Jean Fufidio, event director of Swim Across America – Long Island Sound. “Whether someone swims 10K, 5K or 2K in Long Island Sound, joins a pool swim, participates virtually through SAA My Way, or comes out to volunteer on the land or water, every stroke and every dollar helps support the doctors, researchers and caregivers who are making breakthroughs in cancer care.”

To learn more about Swim Across America – Long Island Sound or to register to swim, volunteer or donate, visit swimacrossamerica.org/longislandsound.