Tag: health

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS OF THE 2025 SWIM ACROSS AMERICA COLLEGE CUP

Posted on Posted in #MakingWavesToFightCancer, #SwimAcrossAmerica, baltimore, Carolina, charlotte, college swimming, event directors, Events, Fundraising, Pool Swims, rhode island, UncategorizedTagged , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Swim Across America (SAA) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2025 SAA College Cup. More than 45 collegiate, club, and alumni teams and over 1,300 participants all united to make waves in the fight against cancer through swimming and friendly competition. Together, the teams raised over $500,000 for their communities and beneficiaries.

Swim Across America awarded the top fundraising team, the top collegiate fundraiser, and a bonus team chosen at random. 

Congrats to the top fundraising team, Team Tar Heel! The top team is led by co-captains, Bailey Burt and Sue Walsh, and raised more than $88,000. Funds raised by Team Tar Heel supported the Swim Across America – Carolina community.

Team Tar Heel from the SAA-Carolina community is the winner of the Swim Across America College Cup. Congrats!

For Olympian and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill alum and Team Tar Heel captain, Sue Walsh, Swim Across America’s mission is deeply personal. 

“I am so proud to be a part of this amazing organization and raise funds for critical cancer research at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center with Team Tar Heel,” shared Sue. “I swim for everyone fighting cancer and I’m proud of what we have accomplished in our community.”

“As a team, we are thrilled to be the Swim Across America College Cup champions and to have had the opportunity to make such a tremendous positive impact in our community. Each of us is passionate about the SAA mission and thankful for the good it has done for so many.

Congrats to the top collegiate fundraiser, Lucas Caswell, who raised over $11,500! Lucas is a student at WashU in St. Louis, Missouri, supporter of the SAA-St. Louis open water swim, and helped establish the 2025 SAA-Michigan pool swim at the University of Michigan. Lucas will be honored in May at the annual CSCAA awards banquet in Chicago.

Lucas Caswell and his mother, Elizabeth, at the 2025 SAA-Michigan pool swim.

“Swim Across America’s community of swimmers, volunteers, and researchers inspired me through their work, their stories, and their hope to join the fight against cancer,” shared Lucas.

SAA also recognized a collegiate team chosen through a random drawing: Team Thundering over Cancer with Marshall University. The team of more than 20 swimmers raised nearly $9,000 through their inaugural pool swim, and were awarded an $800 Kiefer Aquatics voucher. Funds raised by the team from Marshall University supported pediatric cancer research through Swim Across America national grants.

“Swim Across America and their mission is important to us because we have seen our friends and family greatly affected by cancer,” shared by team captain, Nina Nugent “We’re honored to have hosted the first SAA pool swim in West Virginia and hope that together we can Thunder Over Cancer!”

The Swim Across America College Cup invites college teams, athletes, and alumni to join the organization’s mission of funding cancer research, clinical trials, and patient care programs through community charity swims. Teams participate by registering for one of Swim Across America’s open water charity swims, joining or starting a pool swim, or participating virtually through the SAA My Way program. Participants affiliated with a U.S-based college or university are eligible to compete in the College Cup. Teams consist of current college students, alumni, or a mix of both, and could be small as one person.

The Swim Across America College Cup is supported through partnerships with CSCAA, Kiefer, and GoSwim. 

About Swim Across America

Swim Across America, Inc. (SAA) is dedicated to raising money and awareness for cancer research, prevention, and treatment through swimming-related events. With the help of hundreds of volunteers nationwide and past and current Olympians, SAA is helping find a cure for cancer through athleticism, community outreach and direct service. To learn more visit swimacrossamerica.org or follow on Facebook or on Instagram.

About CSCAA

Founded in 1922, the CSCAA is the nation’s first professional coaching association for intercollegiate athletics. The CSCAA boasts more than 2,000 member coaches and assistant coaches, recognizes All-American swimmers and divers, NCAA record-breakers and Scholar All-America athletes and teams, as well as outstanding coaches and contributors, and helps oversee the welfare of collegiate swimming and diving. Learn more about CSCAA at cscaa.org.

About Kiefer Aquatics

Kiefer Aquatics is the trusted source for competitive swimmers, lifeguards, and aquatic facilities. From performance swimwear and lifeguard uniforms to rescue gear, on-deck equipment, and general aquatic facility needs, Kiefer is dedicated to helping our customers deliver better aquatic experiences through trusted products, customized solutions, and exceptional service. Learn more at kiefer.com.

About GoSwim

GoSwim creates content that helps people of all ages and backgrounds to swim better and reach their full potential in the sport. GoSwim’s videos are acclaimed and unsurpassed for clarity of filming and clarity of content and commentary. GoSwim was founded in 2002 by Olympian Glenn Mills and business colleague Barbara Hummel. Learn more at goswim.tv.

Paul Felton: Swimming for Family, Friends, and Hope

Posted on Posted in #DefeatCancer, #MakingWavesToFightCancer, #SwimAcrossAmerica, beneficiaries, san franciscoTagged , , , , , , , Leave a comment

For more than a decade, Paul Felton has been a dedicated supporter of Swim Across America – San Francisco, raising an impressive $25,000 to fund life-saving cancer research. This year, he’ll once again take the plunge as a swimmer, carrying with him the stories and strength of those closest to him.

Paul was first introduced to Swim Across America  through a close friend whose daughter was diagnosed with a rare cancer and treated at UCSF. Funds raised through Swim Across America – San Francisco are granted to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital. Grantees also include researchers at UCSF.

Paul Felton’s daughter, Claire, was diagnosed with leukemia when she was a freshman in college.

“We were all water polo players,” Paul recalls. “Hearing about SAA and already having competed in open water events, it was easy to do something we loved while contributing to a cause that was so close to our hearts.”

Several years later, the mission of Swim Across America became even more personal when Paul’s own daughter, Claire, was diagnosed with leukemia. After taking time off, he returned to the swim in 2024 with a renewed sense of purpose.

“Last year Claire was diagnosed a week before the swim, and I registered, knowing from my past experience with Swim Across America, that any fundraising I could do could benefit Claire and so many others going through cancer treatment at USCF,” Paul said.

“Having a loved one directly affected by cancer, it’s impossible to know exactly what they are going through physically and emotionally,” Paul shares. “If there’s anything I can do personally, and to encourage friends and family to get involved, it’s nice to know that every dollar we raise goes directly to increased research and treatment that supports children and young adults with cancer.”

For Paul, Swim Across America is more than a swim—it’s a powerful way to show up for his daughter, his friend’s family, and the countless others impacted by cancer. His commitment is a testament that together, we can Make Waves to Fight Cancer.

If you’re inspired to support Paul and Team UCSF Survive, give here.

SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – LONG ISLAND SOUND IN THE NEWS

Posted on Posted in #DefeatCancer, #MakingWavesToFightCancer, #SwimAcrossAmerica, beneficiaries, event directors, Events, Fundraising, Long Island Sound, Making Waves With Hope, Messages of Hope, News, Pool Swims, Top Fundraisers, UncategorizedTagged , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Read or watch local stories featuring the Swim Across America-Long Island Sound community to learn about their impact. Learn more about the event and beneficiaries, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Columbia University Cancer Center, Cancer Support Team, and Weill Cornell Medical Center, at swimacrossamerica.org/long_island.

SAAswim.com – Swim Across America blog

From Heartbreak to Hope: Team Gina Makes Waves to Fight Cancer

New Rochelle Challenged Triathlete Florence Berger-Bordeau to Swim in 33rd Annual Swim Across America – Long Island Sound July 26

From Survivor to Swimmer: 13-Year-Old Cancer Survivor Jane Hatch Makes Waves for Pediatric Cancer Research

Swimming World

Swim Across America – Long Island Sound Open Water Swim Makes Waves to Fight Cancer

WNYW-TV (FOX, 5) “The Noon”

33rd Annual Swim Across America – Long Island Sound

WNBC-TV (NBC, 4)

‘Swim Across America’ for a good cause

The New York Post

Two-time cancer survivor reveals his fitness stamina trick — and how he uses honey — as he swims 10K across the Long Island Sound

News 12 Long Island

Swim Across America raises almost $2.1 million toward cancer research

Greenwich man swims across Long Island Sound to raise money to fight cancer

News 12 Westchester

Swim Across America raises almost $2.1 million toward cancer research

New Rochelle Patch

New Rochelle Challenged Triathlete Florence Berger-Bordeau to Swim in 33rd Annual Swim Across America – LIS

Larchmont – Mamaroneck Patch

From Heartbreak to Hope: Team Gina Makes Waves to Fight Cancer at 33rd Annual Swim Across America

Swim Across America – Long Island Sound Raises an Incredible $2+ Million for Cancer Research

Scarsdale 10583

Team John Surpasses $2 Million raised for Cancer Research

Lohud The Journal News

Video: Swim Across America Long Island Sound

Photos: Swim Across America Long Island Sound

MyRye.com

Rye’s Adam Coe Completes 10K Swim Across Long Island Sound for Charity Event

Rye’s Adam Coe Completes 10K Swim Across Long Island Sound for Charity Event

New Rochelle Challenged Triathlete Florence Berger-Bordeau to Swim in 33rd Annual Swim Across America – Long Island Sound July 26

Posted on Posted in #DefeatCancer, #MakingWavesToFightCancer, #SwimAcrossAmerica, Fairfield County, Long Island SoundTagged , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

Berger-Bordeau Swims in Honor of her Father and Aunt Lost to Cancer

Florence Berger-Bordeau of New Rochelle, New York, has been swimming her entire life. An avid athlete, who as a child enjoyed swimming, tennis, skiing and track, Florence lost part of her right leg below the knee to a traumatic accident at age 14 while living in France. After the accident Florence thought she would never be able to swim or run again. Enduring some challenging years after the accident, she tried swimming again and she was so glad she was wrong! Swimming as an amputee felt amazing and therapeutic. It also helped Florence regain her confidence in herself.

Florence Berger-Bordeau

Fast forward to today and Florence, for her seventh year, will join more than 800 swimmers, volunteers and supporters on Saturday, July 26, at the 33rd annual Swim Across America – Long Island Sound open water swim, held in Larchmont, New York. Florence will be swimming the 2K course to make waves to fight cancer in honor of her father Jean-Paul Bordeau, and aunt Marie-Jeanne Lagadec, both of whom she lost to cancer – her Dad from sarcoma at just 34 years old when Florence was only three, and her aunt four years ago from breast cancer.

“I unfortunately only have vague memories of my father. It was so hard growing up without him,” noted Florence. “I was only three years old when he passed away. He was so brave and cared so much for me and my mom. My aunt passed away just four years ago from breast cancer. She meant a lot to me and was an incredible person. When I swim with Swim Across America, I think about my dad and my aunt and how much I miss them.”

The annual Swim Across America – Long Island Sound open water swim, which starts at the Larchmont Yacht Club and finishes at the Larchmont Shore Club, is Swim Across America’s largest open water event nationwide. The event features 2K, 5K and 10K swim distances, as well as a same-day ½-mile pool swim – and seven other pool swims throughout the summer. The swim has raised nearly $30 million since its inception in 1992 for its local beneficiaries Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, Columbia University Cancer Center and the Cancer Support Team.

Florence at the finish line of the San Diego Challenged Athletes Foundation Triathlon

“Adaptive sports have helped me tremendously recover from my accident,” said Florence. “Besides swimming, I love biking, skiing, surfing and tennis. I believe in never giving up when facing adversity. I’m very lucky to have the best mom, a wonderful family and amazing friends who really support me, including my company Sompo International who has matched the funds I’ve raised and been so supportive. I also think we should be grateful every day when we are healthy, as it is so important! I get very emotional before each swim when I hear about cancer survivors and the cancer research the swim is supporting. It is so inspiring. I also feel a deep sense of community. I could not do these swims without my swim angel Kathy Salvo and my swim coach and friend Delphine Golebiowski. I’m grateful for their support and their journey with me as we try to raise as much for cancer research through swimming as we can.”

Florence started swimming with Swim Across America – Long Island Sound in 2019. Since then, she has completed eight Swim Across America events, six previous Long Island Sound swims and two of the Fairfield County swims. Last year she also accomplished a dream of hers – participating in a triathlon! 

“My dream came true when I participated in the Sleepy Hollow Triathlon and the San Diego Challenged Athletes Foundation Triathlon. When I crossed the finish line of the San Diego CAF Triathlon, I was crying as I thought that this day would never come. I knew my dad was watching me from heaven. Swim Across America helped me get ready for these triathlons – all while raising money for cancer research.”

Florence has completed eight Swim Across America events, including SAA-Fairfield County in 2025.

To date, Florence has raised more than $5000 for cancer research through Swim Across America. 

Now in its 33rd year, Swim Across America – Long Island Sound has been a major funder of crucial cancer research that has brought forward successful new treatments, including the FDA approved immunotherapy treatments of Keytruda, Opdivo, Tecentriq and Yervoy. What’s more is the money raised locally stays local, providing cancer care and research grants to The Cancer Support Team, a Westchester-based home care program offering free services to patients and their families; to New York Presbyterian Children’s Hospital Pediatric Oncology Lab; to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Research Laboratories of Dr. Diaz and Dr. Kung Kids Department of Pediatrics; and to Weill Cornell Medicine Research Laboratory of Dr. Wolchok and Dr. Merghoub.

Nationally, Swim Across America has generated more than $100 million for cancer research since its founding 1987, supporting more than 60 research projects each year To support Florence Berger-Bordeau or any of the other hundreds of swimmers at this year’s July 26th Swim Across America – Long Island Sound swim, visit swimacrossamerica.org/longislandsound to make a donation or to sign up to swim or volunteer.

Kelly Lennon: A Full Circle Journey with Swim Across America

Posted on Posted in #DefeatCancer, #MakingWavesToFightCancer, #SwimAcrossAmerica, Family Tree, Fundraising, Nassau/Suffolk - Sound to Cove, Pool SwimsTagged , , , , , , , 1 Comment

From a young age, Kelly Lennon was always driven to make an impact in her community. In high school, Kelly swam with her school team and joined Swim Across America – Nassau/Suffolk. Nearly a decade later, Kelly returned to Swim Across America as a coach and helped raise more than $40,000.

“In December 2016, I was honored for my fundraising efforts with a Proclamation from the Town of Huntington, New York, by Legislator Susan Berland,” shared Kelly. “After I graduated high school, I knew I’d come back to Swim Across America because it was that important to me.”

Kelly may have physically “left” for college, but her passion for Swim Across America still tugged at her heart. It wasn’t until eight years later that Kelly found her way back to Swim Across America to rejoin the fight to cure cancer. 

“I graduated from college and took a job at the Huntington YMCA coaching an age group team called the Bluefish,” shared Kelly. “I couldn’t wait to bring my joy for SAA to this new bunch of kids in our community.”

With the help of the SAA National and SAA-Nassau/Suffolk local committee, Kelly started the Huntington Y Bluefish SAA Pool Swim. Together, the team quickly exceeded their original $10,000 goal and raised over $40,000 for their beneficiaries: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, the Feinstein Institute at Northwell Health, MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital, and SHARE Cancer Support.  

“What a full circle moment for me! Supporting this organization as an adult, with my team of young swimmers, brought back so many memories,” said Kelly.

The fight to find a cure never changed, but Kelly’s personal growth over eight years fed her passion and fueled her fire to fight cancer. 

“I support Swim Across America because cancer has deeply affected my family. Some of my loved ones have survived, while others have, sadly, passed away,” shared Kelly.

“I swim in memory of those we’ve lost and in support of those still fighting. This cause is personal to me—every stroke is a tribute to their strength, courage, and the hope that, through continued research, we can find better treatments and ultimately a cure. That’s what motivates me to raise funds and be part of this incredible community.” 

Swim Across America grants have had incredible success, particularly at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, one of the SAA-Nassau/Suffolk beneficiaries. The community is a grant funder of MSK’s landmark clinical trial that achieved a 100% success rate treating advanced rectal cancer patients with dostarlimab; as well as a funder of the most recent Phase II clinical trial at MSK just published in The New England Journal of Medicine that showed an 80% success rate in treating patients with several types of MMRd cancers who were treated with immunotherapy and did not require surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy after six months of treatment with immunotherapy alone. SAA awarded the grants for the early-stage research and continues to award grants for the ongoing clinical trial. 

Seeing the impact SAA has on cancer research is what drives Kelly to continue to support the mission. 

“Swim Across America makes a real impact by funding innovative cancer research and clinical trials that give patients hope and save lives,” said Kelly. 

“It’s important to me and my family because it turns grief into action and brings people together to fight for a future without cancer.”

If you are moved to support Kelly and Huntington Y Bluefish, click here.

From Survivor to Swimmer: 13-Year-Old Cancer Survivor Jane Hatch Makes Waves for Pediatric Cancer Research

Posted on Posted in #MakingWavesToFightCancer, #SwimAcrossAmerica, beneficiaries, Events, Family Tree, Fundraising, Long Island Sound, Making Waves With Hope, Pool SwimsTagged , , , , , , , 1 Comment

When 13-year-old leukemia survivor Jane Hatch dives into one of this summer’s Swim Across America – Long Island Sound pool swims at Westchester County Country Club on July 12, she’ll be carrying on a family legacy that began more than three decades ago. Her grandfather, Frank Webers, helped launch the very first SAA – Long Island Sound charity swim in 1992 after sadly losing his wife, Kathleen “Kathy” Webers, to brain cancer at just 42. Only 17 swimmers took to the water that inaugural year. Today the event draws 800+ participants and is the largest Swim Across America event in the country, raising millions for cancer research and patient care.

Jane Hatch, a young leukemia survivor, will swim at a SAA-Long Island Sound pool swim this year.

Jane’s mother, June, is one of three daughters of Frank and Kathy Webers – April, May and June. While cancer has thankfully skipped her mother’s generation, Jane was diagnosed with leukemia at just six years old. Throughout the past seven years and through her treatment years, Jane has participated in supporting SAA – Long Island Sound any way she could – by selling lemonade and bake sales, and in 2019, her Mom June swam in her honor.

This year, Jane will swim in the Westchester Country Club pool swim on July 12. Her family has been comforted in knowing that a portion of the funds raised through SAA – Long Island Sound are going directly to Memorial Sloan Kettering, where Jane was treated.

“Jane is thriving because of breakthrough science and compassionate care, some of which has been funded directly through Swim Across America,” said June  Hatch, Jane’s mother and member of Team Jane.  “We swim, volunteer and donate to fund the next breakthroughs — especially for children who still face cancer with far fewer treatment options than adults.”

Only 4% of federal cancer-research dollars target childhood cancers. Swim Across America – Long Island Sound is hoping to change that and is directing 20% of proceeds from its open water and eight pool swims this year to pediatric-cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Kids and NewYork-Presbyterian Children’s Hospital through its KIDS Swimming FOR KIDS program.

To raise awareness and inspire young swimmers, Swim Across America will be offering a fun buy-one, give-one campaign offering supporters a chance to get a Dash the Dolphin, Swim Across America’s mascot’s plush toy for a $30 donation — for each plush toy purchased, a second plush toy will be gifted to a pediatric cancer patient at Memorial Sloan Kettering Kids and NewYork-Presbyterian Children’s Hospital through the swim’s KIDS Swimming FOR KIDS program.

From Heartbreak to Hope: Team Gina Makes Waves to Fight Cancer

Posted on Posted in #DefeatCancer, #MakingWavesToFightCancer, #SwimAcrossAmerica, beneficiaries, Events, Fundraising, Long Island Sound, Messages of Hope, Pool Swims, UncategorizedTagged , , , , , , , 1 Comment

Almost a year-and-a-half after sadly losing Gina Mannix Wente to breast cancer, who was just 32-years-old and a beloved wife, mother, daughter and sister, more than 50 of her relatives and friends are suiting up again to make a big splash with “Team Gina” at the 33rd annual Swim Across America – Long Island Sound open water swim on Saturday, July 26, held on the shores of Long Island Sound in Larchmont, New York.

Gina Mannix Wente

The team has hit the ground running and is already one of the top fundraising teams, raising $33,255 to date for the July charity swim. For Team Gina, diving back into the water isn’t just a tribute – it’s a way to keep Gina’s competitive spirit and generosity alive – all while fueling cancer research that could help others battle this terrible disease.

Gina grew up swimming at the Larchmont Shore Club, captained undefeated squads at Ursuline and the College of the Holy Cross, and later coached for the New York Athletic Club. She balanced that passion with a finance career that took her to GE Capital and Ferrara Candy. In 2021 she married Dave Wente. Their daughter, McKenzie, arrived in 2022, and their son, David Charles, was delivered early at just 29 weeks on February 1, 2024, weeks after Gina’s sudden cancer diagnosis. Gina sadly passed away on February 26, 2024, just 3-1/2 weeks after welcoming her son.

Gina and her daughter, McKenzie

“Last summer’s swim, was as you can imagine, raw and emotional for all of us after losing Gina so suddenly,” noted Gina’s mother, Mary Mannix. “However, being all together at the swim and doing something that Gina loved was also very healing. We are coming back this year stronger and more energized than ever before. Every dollar we raise honors her love of the sport of swimming and helps fund the breakthroughs that can possibly help save other lives.”

“Cancer knows no boundaries,” noted Jean Fufidio, event director for SAA-Long Island Sound. “It impacts adults, young adults and children. Diagnoses of young adults globally have risen by 79%. But here’s how Swim Across America Long Island Sound is making a positive impact. A recent Time Magazine story, ‘The Race to Explain Why More Young Adults are Getting Cancer’ mentioned the ground-breaking, rectal clinical trials done by one of our very own fellow doctors, with a 100% response rate. A subsequent trial that was expanded to other gastrointestinal MMRd type cancers and published in The New England Journal of Medicine in April showed an astounding 80% success rate with immunotherapy alone – no surgery, chemotherapy or radiation. That is making an impact.”

Members of Team Gina swam at the 2024 SAA-Long Island Sound open water swim

Proceeds from SAA-Long Island Sound benefit Swim Across America’s local beneficiaries: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Columbia University Medical Center, Cancer Support Team and Weill Cornell Medicine. Registration, volunteer sign-ups and donations are open at swimacrossamerica.org/longislandsound.

Now in its 33rd year, SAA-Long Island Sound open water and pool swims have contributed nearly $30 million towards cancer research, resulting in FDA approved immunotherapy treatments of Keytruda, Opdivo and Yervoy. What’s more is the money raised locally stays local, providing cancer care and research grants to The Cancer Support Team, a Westchester-based home care program offering free services to patients and their families; to New York Presbyterian Children’s Hospital Pediatric Oncology Lab; to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Research Laboratories of Dr. Diaz and Dr. Kung Kids Department of Pediatrics; and to Weill Cornell Medicine Research Laboratory of Dr. Wolchok and Dr. Merghoub.

David Lemley: Making Waves to Fight Cancer for others and for his own battle

Posted on Posted in #DefeatCancer, #MakingWavesToFightCancer, #SwimAcrossAmerica, beneficiaries, Making Waves With Hope, Messages of Hope, SAA Pride, seattle, Top FundraisersTagged , , , 1 Comment

Swimming a one-mile open water swim is challenging, but swimming a one-mile open water swim with cancer is nothing short of remarkable. David Lemley is one of those remarkable people.

David, with his wife, Janie, swam at the 2024 SAA-Seattle open water swim, while fighting plasma cell leukemia.

David, 65, first participated in Swim Across America – Seattle in 2021 supporting his wife, Janie’s, team “InMemory”, named for the loved ones she lost to cancer. Over the years, their team has raised more than $8,000. It wasn’t until this year that David’s understanding of cancer became very personal.

“Last year, I really struggled to finish the swim,” said David. “The reason being, unbeknownst to us at the time, that I was fighting plasma cell leukemia, a very rare and aggressive form of blood cancer.”

This may seem like a rare occurrence, but often Swim Across America participants become fighters of their own cancer battles, giving their involvement a new meaning and a sense of urgency.

“Swim Across America is extremely important to help fund urgent and necessary research in order to help more people become cancer survivors. SAA gives hope to those, like myself, who are fighting the cancer battle right now,” shared David.

David’s stem cells were harvested at Fred Hutch Cancer Center, the beneficiary of the SAA-Seattle swim.

Swim Across America’s guiding principle is that money raised local stays in each community. In Seattle, all proceeds from community events support immunotherapy clinical trials and cancer research at Fred Hutch Cancer Center.

Participants that fundraise know that the funds they raise will support their community to help people they may know, or in David’s case, his own treatment. Despite being a fundraiser year after year, David never imagined he would become a direct recipient of the treatment himself and hundreds of other swimmers help support. 

After receiving his diagnosis in November 2024, David was thrown into a new world of hospital visits and chemotherapy treatment. As he prepared for his double stem cell transplant at the VA Medical Center near his hometown, David had his first visit to Fred Hutch Cancer Center (FHCC).

“I was at the VA for 13 days and then headed to Fred Hutch for the incredible procedure of Apheresis, where they harvest 17 million of my stem cells. Janie and I wore our Swim Across America t-shirts to commemorate this very special day,” said David.

David and Janie proudly wore their Swim Across America shirts during David’s stay at FHCC.

“On Monday, May 5th, I celebrated my new ‘birthday’ with the first transplant of approx. 8.5 million of my own stem cells,” said David.  

After 16 days in the hospital following the procedure, David was released to go home to rest and recover before his second stem cell procedure on June 9.

For the Lemley family, participating in this year’s SAA-Seattle has a deeper meaning.

“Now, more than ever, we are committed to raising money for our amazing Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center!” said David.

If you’re inspired to support David and Team InMemory, give here.

Doug Bosley: From Marathon Swims to His Toughest Challenge Yet

Posted on Posted in #DefeatCancer, #MakingWavesToFightCancer, #SwimAcrossAmerica, beneficiaries, boston, Events, Family Tree, Fundraising, Messages of HopeTagged , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

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.

11-Year-Old Shep Jennings Makes Big Waves to Fight Cancer

Posted on Posted in #DefeatCancer, #MakingWavesToFightCancer, #SwimAcrossAmerica, beneficiaries, Fairfield County, Fundraising, Making Waves With Hope, Top FundraisersTagged , , , , , , 1 Comment

Shep Jennings is proving that even the youngest swimmers can Make Waves to Fight Cancer! The Darien, Connecticut resident will swim at the 2025 Swim Across America – Fairfield County open water swim on June 21.

Shep Jennings

Shep, who swims year-round with the Darien YMCA Piranhas and in summer with Shorehaven Golf Club, first dove into the charity swim event last year when his swim buddy Jedd Gallagher asked Shep to join the Blue Wave Swim Team, which was participating in the annual Swim Across America – Fairfield County open water swim. The Blue Wave Swim Team was coached by longtime Swim Across America supporter Marj Trifone.

Last summer was the start of a fulfilling experience for Shep, who raised more than $2,000 for the nonprofit in 2024. Seeing his name on the leaderboard last year was inspiring to know he was making a difference.

“I love seeing my name climb the leaderboard, because every dollar means scientists get closer to cures,” said Shep.

The Jennings family

Inspired by watching his parents raise money for ALS research after his grandmother was impacted by the disease, Shep already had the know-how of fundraising down. For Swim Across America, he began emailing friends and family and even going door-to-door in his neighborhood to collect pledges.

Shep, who will turn 12 in September and enter Middlesex Middle School in the fall, acknowledges his favorite summer sports are all about water: swimming, water polo and water-skiing on summer weekends, in the winter, he swaps liquid water for frozen water with snow-skiing. At home he shares the spotlight with his nine-year-old sister, Emmaline, and the family’s golden retriever, Rosie. With just a few weeks left until the big SAA – Fairfield County open water swim, Shep isn’t easing up on his fundraising pace.

Shep, far right, and a few of his teammates

“I’m still reaching out,” he said. “I want my total and the funds for cancer-fighting research to keep growing.” To date, Shep is the number one individual fundraiser already raising $6,080.

If you’re inspired to support Shep, give here.