When 13-year-old leukemia survivor Jane Hatch dives into one of this summer’s Swim Across America – Long Island Soundpool 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, raisingmillions 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.
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 Medicinein 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.
Read or watch local stories featuring the Swim Across America – Fairfield County community to learn about their impact. Learn more about the event and beneficiary, Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy, at swimacrossamerica.org/fc.
1-Mile Swim and 100M Dolphin Dash Take Place December 7 at Daytona International Speedway
CLASH Endurance® and Swim Across America are thrilled to announce a new charity swim in Lake Lloyd, located in the infield of the iconic Daytona International Speedway® on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. Participants of all ages will have the opportunity to swim alongside notable Olympians in an inspirational one-mile swim or a 100-meter Dolphin Dash with fundraising for critical cancer research as their top priority. Funds raised will support Swim Across America’s breakthrough pediatric cancer grants with its beneficiaries and CLASH Endurance’s philanthropic partner The NASCAR Foundation.
Swim Across America, founded in 1987, hosts 24 annual open-water swims from Nantucket to under the Golden Gate Bridge, and hundreds and pool swims each year that fund cancer research and patient programs, raising more than $100M to date. Swim Across America has funded transformative trials that led to the FDA-approved immunotherapy cancer medications Keytruda, Opdivo, Yervoy and Tecentriq. The organization has also supported Memorial Sloan Kettering’s landmark trials including the recent Phase II clinical trial published in The New England Journal of Medicine showing an 80% success rate treating MMRd cancers with immunotherapy alone. Swim Across America also recently awarded the first-of-their-kind gene editing innovation grants to Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to advance safer, more effective targeted treatments.
“Swim Across America, CLASH Endurance and The NASCAR Foundation joining together makes so much sense as The NASCAR Foundation helps so many kids who are battling cancer,” commented Rob Butcher, CEO of Swim Across America. “To have a Swim Across America charity event in Daytona on the CLASH Endurance Family Weekend means we will make even bigger waves together in the fight against cancer.”
The NASCAR Foundation is a leading charity that works to improve the lives of children who need it most in NASCAR racing communities through the Speediatrics Children’s Fund and the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award. Serving as a designated 4-Star Charity by Charity Navigator for its strong financial health and ongoing accountability and transparency, it has contributed more than $50 Million to impact the lives of more than 1.7 million children nationwide since 2006.
“We are excited to be a part of the new Swim Across America swim during the CLASH Endurance weekend at Daytona International Speedway. We truly appreciate the many years of support from our friends at CLASH, and it is a privilege to team up again to help improve the health and well-being of kids across the country and in our race communities,” said Nichole Krieger, vice president and executive director of The NASCAR Foundation.
On December 7, when hundreds of swimmers and volunteers dive into Lake Lloyd, one-mile swimmers will be required to raise at least $400 by event day; swimmers under 18 will raise a minimum of $200; Dolphin Dash participants can register for $50 and have no fundraising minimum. To register as a swimmer or a volunteer, visit swimacrossamerica.org/daytona.
CLASH Endurance CEO Bill Christy says, “We are proud to collaborate with Swim Across America which continues to make a lasting impact in the cancer community. This is a cause that has touched all our lives, and we are honored to further support the fight at one of our flagship event weekends.”
Each December when much of the country battles snow, more than 3,000 participants ranging in age from four to 80+ will take on the speedway through a variety of events including a 5K, kids’ triathlon, duathlon, aquabike, triathlons, Test Track and Redline Relay. CLASH Endurance strives to provide a festival-style weekend, which in addition to free activities for spectators and athletes alike, include a wellness expo, food trucks, beer/wine garden and much more. The weekend kicks off with a festive “Jingle Jog 5K” on Friday evening with a start and finish at ONEDaytona. Participants, including those in jogging strollers, will experience Florida’s “Magic of Lights” holiday display taking them under the iconic grandstands of the speedway. The Swim Across America 1-mile swim and Dolphin Dash will help cap-off the weekend on Sunday, December 7.
“We have swum in some incredible venues and Daytona International Speedway is certainly one of the most iconic,” noted Olympic swimmer and Swim Across America Ambassador Rowdy Gaines. “To have a Swim Across America charity swim in Daytona is going to be extra special – I will definitely be there!”
CLASH Endurance® is an innovative endurance event company led by athletes with a passion to provide exceptional race experiences at iconic speedways across the U.S. CLASH embraces inclusion and welcomes athletes of all ages and abilities, from elite professionals to first-time participants. The popular CLASH Endurance DAYTONA event is held at the Daytona International Speedway®, home of ‘The Great American Race”- the Daytona 500, and has been featured on NBC and Fox Sports 1/2. Each February, the Daytona Beach Half Marathon & 5K takes athletes on a scenic tour of Daytona and its numerous landmarks and attractions. In addition, CLASH Endurance Miami in March continues to draw a decorated pro field, collegiate athletes from dozens of prestigious universities and weekend warriors for a challenging course at the historic Homestead-Miami Speedway®. Follow The NASCAR Foundation on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/NASCARFoundation or on X at @NASCAR_FDN. For more information visitclashendurance.com.
Swim Across America hosts open water and pool swims in numerous communities nationwide, from Nantucket to under San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. More than 150 Olympians swim with the organization, including Michael Phelps, Kate Douglass, and Missy Franklin. The organization supports more than 60 cancer research projects annually and has ten named Swim Across America Labs at major institutions nationwide. To learn more, visit swimacrossamerica.org or follow on social media @SwimAcrossAmerica on Facebook and @SAASwim on Instagram.
Read or watch local stories featuring the Swim Across America – Tampa community to learn about their impact. Learn more about the event and beneficiary, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, at swimacrossamerica.org/tampa.
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.
The Promising Study Found that 80% of Patients with Mismatch Repair-Deficient (MMRd) Solid Tumors Treated with Immunotherapy Avoided Surgery
The New England Journal of Medicinepublished a paper on April 27, 2025, that presents exciting new results from a clinical trial led by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) gastrointestinal oncologists Andrea Cercek, MD, and Luis Diaz Jr., MD, that demonstrates how immunotherapy alone can help patients with MMRd cancers avoid surgery and preserve their quality of life. The results, presented simultaneously at the 2025 American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting, showed that 80% of patients with several types of cancer treated with immunotherapy did not require surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy after six months of treatment with immunotherapy alone. Swim Across America awarded grants for the early-stage research and continues to award grants for the ongoing clinical trial.
Andrea Cercek, M.D., gastrointestinal oncologist and co-director of the Center for Young Onset Colorectal and Gastrointestinal Cancer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Mismatch repair deficiency (MMRd) in cancer refers to a situation where tumor cells have defective mismatch repair (MMR) proteins, essential for correcting DNA errors during cell replication. This deficiency leads to the accumulation of mutations, including microsatellite instability (MSI), making tumors more prone to be recognized by the immune system. MMRd status is a significant factor in cancer treatment, particularly for immunotherapy, as it can predict response to immune checkpoint inhibitors.
The standard of care for many cancers that have this specific MMRd genetic mutation has been surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Still, the patients who responded positively to this clinical trial did not require surgery to remove an organ and did not experience chemotherapy or radiation, which improved their quality of life. This trial is the first time that immunotherapy has been shown to replace surgery for a variety of solid tumors.
“This study shows that immunotherapy can replace surgery, radiation and chemotherapy for mismatch repair-deficient solid tumors, which could help patients preserve their organs and avoid the harsh side effects of chemo and radiation,” said Andrea Cercek, M.D., gastrointestinal oncologist and co-director of the Center for Young Onset Colorectal and Gastrointestinal Cancer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. “Preserving a patient’s quality of life, while also successfully achieving positive results in eliminating their cancer, is the best possible outcome. They can return to their daily routines and maintain their independence.”
Luis Diaz, M.D., gastrointestinal oncologist and Head of the Division of Solid Tumor Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
This phase 2 trial is an extension of a groundbreaking study, also funded in part by Swim Across America, in which all rectal cancer patients treated with the immunotherapy dostarlimab experienced a complete clinical response, meaning their tumors disappeared. This was the first time ever that a clinical trial had a 100% positive response rate.
The updated trial included 103 patients with stage 1-3 cancer; 49 with rectal cancer; and 54 with non-rectal cancers, including gastroesophageal, hepatobiliary, colon, genitourinary, and gynecologic. Drs. Cercek and Diaz noted that the 80% response rate in this expanded clinical trial is very exciting for these types of cancer.
“Grants provided by Swim Across America were critical to our initial study and advancing this trial to phase 2,” said Luis Diaz, M.D., gastrointestinal oncologist and Head of the Division of Solid Tumor Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Founded in 1987, Swim Across America has raised more than $100 million to fight cancer. In its 38 years of making waves, thousands of volunteers and Olympians have swum the circumference of the earth three times uniting a movement to fight cancer that has created a groundswell of support spanning all generations. Today, more than 24 communities across the U.S. hold charity swims each year, which support innovative cancer research, detection, and patient programs.
Drs. Andrea Cercek and Luis Diaz spoke at the 2024 Swim Across America – Long Island Sound open water swim
Swim Across America’s funding of clinical trials on a national level has helped contribute to four FDA-approved life-saving immunotherapy cancer treatments: Yervoy, Opdivo, Tecentriq, and Keytruda. Swim Across America awards grant to more than 60 projects each year and there are ten named Swim Across America Labs at major institutions.
In addition to Swim Across America grants, this trial received funding from the National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Haystack Oncology, and Stand Up To Cancer. MSK also acknowledges support from GSK, whose PD-1 blockade Jemperli (dostarlimab), represents a promising advancement in the treatment of patients.
For more information and to inquire about eligibility for this clinical trial, talk to your oncologist or call MSK at 646-888-4189. You may also reach to info@swimacrossamerica.org and we will help guide you.
Revolutionary CRISPR Gene Editing and Other Cell and Gene Therapy Editing Takes Center Stage in Finding Ways to Effectively Treat Cancer
Swim Across America, the nonprofit funding innovative clinical trials and patient-centered programs for cancer,is proud to announce the award of two $450,000 grants to two of its beneficiaries, Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy(ACGT) and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, to support the work of novel gene and base editing techniques used in advanced cancer research, including targeted therapies, immunotherapies and cellular therapies. The two-year grants will specifically support the work of scientific investigators Joseph Fraietta, PhD, at the University of Pennsylvania through ACGT, and Pietro Genovese, PhD, at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, for their work in groundbreaking cell and gene therapy cancer research. This financial support paves the way for more effective therapies across many cancer types including solid tumors, offering potential new hope for patients with hard to treat cancer types or limited treatment options.
“Gene editing, including CRISPR, are some of the most promising frontiers in cancer research allowing for advances in targeted therapies, immunotherapies, CAR-T cell therapy and early/minimal residual disease detection, diagnostics and cancer vaccines,” said Rob Butcher, CEO of Swim Across America. “These grants to Dr. Fraietta through ACGT, and Dr. Genovese at Dana-Farber, will help accelerate the advancement of potential gene-edited cancer treatments that could transform how we treat patients and their quality of life. Just as our previous funding has helped develop immunotherapy treatments that are saving lives today, we believe these pointed investments will help accelerate the next generation of cancer breakthroughs.”
Joseph Fraietta, PhD
Joseph Fraietta, PhD, through Swim Across America–Fairfield County beneficiary Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy, is developing an innovative “off-the-shelf” cell therapy for aggressive cancers. His research uses a precise gene-editing tool called a “base editor” to create more effective CAR T cells that can target cancers with KRAS mutations, found in 20-25% of all cancers including lung, colon and pancreatic cancer. His team is also developing “micropharmacies” – immune cells engineered to release powerful cancer-fighting signals directly at tumor sites while minimizing side effects.
Pietro Genovese, PhD
Pietro Genovese, PhD, at Dana-Farber, is taking a revolutionary approach to treating acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Rather than targeting cancer cells directly, his team is creating “stealth” healthy blood cells engineered to survive cancer treatments while allowing the selective elimination of cancer cells. This innovative strategy could provide less toxic treatment options for AML and other blood cancers where traditional therapies often harm healthy cells along with cancerous ones.
“With the current funding landscape and resources potentially constrained, nonprofit organizations play a vital role in ensuring innovative cancer research moves forward,” said Evan Vosburgh, MD, Research and Grants committee chair for Swim Across America. “These targeted grants support precisely the kind of high-risk, high-reward research that could revolutionize cancer treatment, but might otherwise go unfunded. By supporting early-stage research in cell and gene therapy, we’re helping bridge critical funding gaps and accelerating the development of potentially life-saving treatments.”
Swim Across America has raised more than $100 million for cancer research since its founding in 1987 and has a strong track record of funding transformative research, including clinical trials that led to FDA-approved immunotherapy medicines Keytruda, Opdivo, Yervoy and Tecentriq. The organization was also a grant funder of Memorial Sloan Kettering’s landmark clinical trial that achieved a 100% success rate treating advanced rectal cancer patients with dostarlimab.
About Swim Across America Swim Across America hosts open water and pool swims in numerous communities nationwide, from Nantucket to under San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. More than 150 Olympians support the organization, including Michael Phelps, Kate Douglass, Missy Franklin and Ryan Lochte. The organization supports more than 60 cancer research projects annually and has ten named Swim Across America Labs at major institutions nationwide. To learn more visit swimacrossamerica.org or follow on social media @SwimAcrossAmerica on Facebook and @SAASwim on Instagram.
Read or watch local stories featuring the Swim Across America-Nashville community to learn about their impact. Learn more about the event and beneficiary, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, at swimacrossamerica.org/nashville.
Berkeley, California Resident is one of the Youngest in History to Complete the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming and Has Raised More than $125,000 for Cancer Research through Swim Across America
Maya Merhige a 17-year-old marathon swimmer from Berkeley, California, on March 14, 2025, successfully swam New Zealand’s Cook Strait, a 22 km (13.67 mile) body of water and one of the world’s most challenging open water swims. This latest achievement for Merhige comes just eight months after she successfully swam the English Channel in July 2024, becoming one of the youngest swimmers in the world to achieve the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming. The completion of the Cook Strait makes this her tenth marathon swim — all which have been done to raise funds for cancer research with the nonprofit Swim Across America. Throughout her years of swimming and making waves to fight cancer, Maya has raised an incredible $125,000!
Maya Merhige, third from left, with her support crew after Maya completed the Cook Strait swim.
Merhige completed the Cook Strait swim in 14 hours, eight minutes and 36 seconds. At 17, she joined the ranks of one of the youngest swimmers to successfully conquer this formidable strait. Accompanying Merhige on this journey and on her support boat was her father Chris Merhige, her official timekeeper, friend and open water coach Kelly Gentry, and her godparents Geoff Tennican and Jen Durning, who have been steadfast supporters of Maya’s and who have donated more than $18,000 to her cause to make waves to fight cancer for the nonprofit Swim Across America, the beneficiary of Maya’s swims. Their presence on the support boat provided invaluable encouragement throughout the swim and helped keep Maya going by relaying uplighting and inspiring messages from Maya’s family and friends all around the world who were following her progress.
The Cook Strait is known for its rough and unpredictable water, high winds and abundant marine life. Situated between the North and South islands of New Zealand, the Cook Strait connects the Tasman Sea with the South Pacific Ocean. Both shores are lined with steep cliffs which can create a wind tunnel effect. The strong gusts of wind and tidal flows make it one of the roughest and most unpredictable stretches of water in the world. The challenging conditions have attracted numerous swimmers, many of whom have failed to make the crossing and several who have succeeded.
The water in the Cook Strait during Maya’s swim was a bit rough with 15-to-25 knot winds and 1 metre swells and the water was a chilly 60 degrees with the air temp only 59 degrees fahrenheit. According to marathon swimming rules, Maya swims with only a bathing suit, swim cap and goggles. “This was one of the gutsiest swims I’ve ever seen, and was according to some folks on the boat too,” noted Maya’s father Chris Merhige, who was on the support boat traveling alongside Maya during her swim.
“Swimming the Cook Strait was a hard, but incredible experience,” Maya Merhige said. “The jellyfish stings, unpredictable currents and wind presented unique challenges, but knowing that my efforts contribute to cancer research kept me motivated. Having my godparents by my side meant the world to me—they have been some of my strongest supporters, always believing in me and helping to make these swims possible.”
Completing the Cook Strait brings Merhige closer to completing the Ocean’s Seven Swims – the most challenging open water swims in the world. Since 2020, she has completed the Catalina Channel, Molokai Channel, English Channel and Cook Strait – with still to come the North Channel, Tsugaru Strait and Strait of Gibraltar.
Maya and Swim Across America – San Francisco co-event director, Jackie NeJaime
Merhige’s previous accomplishments include becoming the youngest woman to swim the 20-mile Catalina Channel at just 14 years old, completing the 28.5-mile Manhattan 20 Bridges swim at 15, and crossing the English Channel at 16, earning her the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming.
Merhige’s commitment to open water swimming began at age nine when she joined her first Swim Across America – San Francisco open water swim, where she swam with Team Susan Survives! in honor of a family friend and three-time cancer survivor, Susan Helmrich. Since then, she has participated in the annual swim, raising more than $125,000 for pediatric cancer research with Swim Across America – San Francisco’s local beneficiary UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals.
While raising funds for cancer research and new treatments in support of friends and family members battling cancer has been her inspiration for swimming, writing their names on her swim cap to bring them on the journey with her, Maya has had her own personal health challenges, including discovering a benign pancreatic tumor in 2023 after a ski accident. She has had some ongoing health challenges stemming from the issue and has had her own hospital stays and surgeries, which have only deepened her empathy for cancer patients and strengthened her resolve to support cancer research and help fund new and better treatments.
This fall, Merhige will be starting her freshman year at college, but still hopes to participate in the annual Swim Across America – San Francisco open water swim on September 21, 2025, marking her ninth year swimming in the event. To learn more about Merhige’s amazing swimming accomplishments and to support her fundraising efforts, visitswimacrossamerica.org/maya.
Founded in 1987, Swim Across America has raised more than $100 million to fight cancer. In its 38 years of making waves, thousands of swimmers and Olympians have swum the circumference of the earth three times uniting a movement to fight cancer that has created a groundswell of support spanning all generations. Today, more than 24 communities across the U.S. hold charity swims each year, which support innovative cancer research, detection and patient programs. Swim Across America’s grants have helped support the research and clinical trials for FDA approved immunotherapy medicines: 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, an immunotherapy treatment produced by GlaxoSmithKline. Swim Across America awards grant to more than 60 projects each year and there are ten named Swim Across America Labs at major institutions.
More than 150 Olympians and marathon swimmers support Swim Across America on a regular basis, 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 @SAASwim.
Swim Across America 