SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – LONG ISLAND SOUND IN THE NEWS

Posted on July 30, 2024August 26, 2024 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 cancer, cancer research, media, News, swim across america, televisionLeave 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.

WCBS-TV (CBS, 2), New York, NY

32nd annual Swim Across America helps raise $1.8 million for cancer research

WPIX-TV (CW, 11), New York, NY

Swimming for a cause at 32nd annual ‘Swim Across America’ event

Young mom, cancer victim honored at Swim Across America event

News 12 Westchester

32nd annual Swim Across America raises money for cancer research

Chappaqua-Mt. Kisco Patch

Swim Across America Holds 8 Pool Swims to Make Waves to Fight Cancer

The Examiner News

Chappaqua Swim Coach Making Waves Raising Money for Cancer

Scarsdale10583

Long Island Sound Swim This Saturday to Raise Funds for Cancer Research

Larchmont-Mamaroneck Patch

Team Gina Turns Devastating Loss into Action through Swimming

$1.8 M Raised at 32nd Annual Swim Across America – Long Island Sound

A Summer Swim Across The LI Sound Makes Ripples To Last A Lifetime

AMNY To Do

Swim Across America – Lake Isle Pool Swim

SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – NANTUCKET IN THE NEWS

Posted on July 30, 2024August 20, 2024 Posted in #DefeatCancer, #MakingWavesToFightCancer, #SwimAcrossAmerica, beneficiaries, event directors, Events, Fundraising, Making Waves With Hope, Messages of Hope, nantucket, News, Top Fundraisers, UncategorizedTagged cancer, cancer research, media, News, swim across america, televisionLeave a comment

Read or watch local stories featuring the Swim Across America-Nantucket community to learn about their impact. Learn more about the event and beneficiaries, Nantucket Cottage Hospital, Palliative and Supportive Care of Nantucket, and Mass General Cancer Center, at swimacrossamerica.org/nantucket.

SAAswim.com – Swim Across America blog

DUNCAN RICHARDSON FINDS HOPE IN HIS CANCER JOURNEY THROUGH SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – NANTUCKET SUPPORT

Nantucket Current

“I’m Not Supposed To Be Here” Duncan Richardson Swims To Give Hope To Future Cancer Patients

Swim Across America Nantucket Aims For New Fundraising Goal On Saturday

Photo Gallery: Swim Across America Nantucket Raises $825,000 In 12th Year

14 Runners Complete Falmouth Road Race For Swim Across America Nantucket

The Inquirer and Mirror

Swim Across America takes to water Saturday

Photo Gallery: Swim Across America Nantucket

CapeCod.com

Swim Across America Returns To Nantucket’s Jetties Beach This Weekend

Yesterday’s Island Today’s Nantucket

Swim to Fight Cancer

SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – MOTOR CITY MILE IN THE NEWS

Posted on July 17, 2024September 16, 2024 Posted in #DefeatCancer, Events, Family Tree, Fundraising, Labs, Motor City Mile, News, olympians, UncategorizedTagged cancer, media, News, olympians, swim across america, televisionLeave a comment

Read or watch local stories featuring the Swim Across America-Motor City Mile community to learn about their impact. Learn more about the event and beneficiary, Rogel Cancer Center, at swimacrossamerica.org/detroit.

Maya Merhige x Swim Across America Media Highlights

Posted on July 16, 2024March 20, 2025 Posted in #MakingWavesToFightCancer, #SwimAcrossAmerica, beneficiaries, Events, Fundraising, Junior Advisory Board, Making Waves With Hope, Messages of Hope, News, san francisco, Top Fundraisers, wave makerTagged fundraising, media, News, swim across america, swimming, television1 Comment

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”

SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – DENVER IN THE NEWS

Posted on June 26, 2024August 27, 2025 Posted in #MakingWavesToFightCancer, #SwimAcrossAmerica, beneficiaries, denver, event directors, Junior Advisory Board, News, Pool Swims, UncategorizedTagged cancer, cancer research, media, News, swim across america, televisionLeave a comment

Read or watch local stories featuring the Swim Across America-Denver community to learn about their impact. Learn more about the event and beneficiary, Children’s Hospital Colorado, at swimacrossamerica.org/denver.

KUSA-TV (9News) “Colorado & Co.”

Help Fight Childhood Cancer with Swim Across America

Raise Money for Pediatric Cancer Care with Swim Across America

2024 SAA-DENVER MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

KUSA-TV (9News) “Colorado & Co.”

Swim Across America for a Great Cause

Help Raise Money for Children’s Hospital Colorado with Swim Across America

SAASWIM.COM – SWIM ACROSS AMERICA BLOG

Swim Across America – Denver Shines Spotlight on Survivorship with Cancer Survivors Sarah Thomas and Garrett Rymer

Littleton Independent

Swim Across America makes 7th annual splash near Littleton

Mile High Magazine (Denver Sports Radio)

Swim Across America – Denver

SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – FAIRFIELD COUNTY IN THE NEWS

Posted on June 21, 2024July 30, 2024 Posted in #DefeatCancer, #MakingWavesToFightCancer, Events, Fairfield County, Fundraising, NewsTagged cancer, Fairfield County, media, News, swim across america, televisionLeave a comment

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.

SAASWIM.COM – Swim Across America blog

SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – FAIRFIELD COUNTY JUST BECAME PERSONAL FOR EVENT DIRECTOR, NANCY CARR

WCBS-2 (CBS 2TV)

Swim Across America event in Connecticut raises nearly $500K for cancer research

News12 Connecticut

Swim Across America Fairfield County raises $475,000 for cancer research

Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy Foundation

Make waves to fight cancer June 29 with Swim Across America and ACGT.

Hamlet Hub – Fairfield, CT

18th Annual Swim Across America Fairfield County Set for Sun. June 29

Greenwich Moms blog

18th annual Swim Across America – Fairfield County Open Water Swim ~ “Queen Willa” Kids’ Splash

Greenwich Free Press

Swim Across America – Fairfield County Open Water Event Adds Kids’ Splash, Raises Funds to Fight Cancer

Olympic Swimmer Donna de Varona to be honored at Swim Across America June 29

Swim Across America Open Water Swim Draws Hundreds to Long Island Sound

Greenwich Patch

Olympic Swimmer Donna de Varona Helps Make Waves to Fight Cancer

Greenwich Time

The Dish: Out there… The 18th annual Swim Across America – Fairfield County open water swim takes place next Saturday

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Donna de Varona on why she supports Swim Across America

Fairfield Neighbors

Fairfield resident Wendy Probert helps make waves to fight cancer

Inaugural Swim Across America – Charlotte JAB Makes Waves of Impact and Inspires Their Community

Posted on September 25, 2023October 10, 2023 Posted in #MakingWavesToFightCancer, #SwimAcrossAmerica, charlotte, Fundraising, Junior Advisory Board, UncategorizedTagged cancer, cancer research, fundraising, media, News, swim across america, televisionLeave a comment

Charlotte Junior Advisory Board (JAB)
Swim Across America – Charlotte
Team Unified

When most people hear the word “jab,” they think of a fast punch used to hit a target.

At Swim Across America, JAB is an acronym for Junior Advisory Board, a group of school-aged swimmers and volunteers with a passion for philanthropy, making an impact in their community, and raising funds for cancer research.

Our newest JAB is making waves with Swim Across America – Charlotte and consists of a remarkable group of high school students, each with their own reason for supporting Swim Across America.

“Over the years, I have witnessed the tremendous impact that Swim Across America has had in raising funds for cancer research and supporting those affected by the disease,” said Kaleigh (KK) Hart.

“This personal connection to the organization and its mission has deepened over time, and it has become an integral part of my life,” she continues.

Though this is the SAA-Charlotte JAB’s first year, some members of Team Unified, the team they formed to fundraise for SAA-Charlotte, have participated in other community swims and been involved with Swim Across America since a young age.

“I have been involved with the organization since 2013 through Swim Across America – Atlanta, when I was just seven years old. At the time, Swim Across America was this super fun event I attended and used my sport to help people,” said KK Hart.

*Kaleigh (KK) Hart at the 2008 Swim Across America – Atlanta charity swim.*

“Through my participation in Swim Across America, I honor and swim for my friend Brooke so we can fight brain cancer, for Grace to find new treatments for osteosarcoma, for Granny and Karen Shultes to fight melanoma, and for my grandma to reduce people diagnosed with breast cancer,” said KK.

“The journeys they have faced have had a profound impact on my life, and by swimming in their honor, I hope to raise awareness about the challenges faced by cancer patients and inspire others to join the cause.”

SAA-Charlotte event director, Patty Waldron, and members of the SAA-Charlotte JAB at the Charlotte Country Club Championship meet this summer.
Pictured: Patty Waldron, Kiley Wilhelm, KK Hart, Alden Fletcher, Ryan Mikszan

Like KK, Kiley Wilhelm wanted to join SAA-Charlotte to honor the loved ones she lost to cancer.

“I support Swim Across America and swim for my grandmother, whom I lost to cancer three years ago. She always encouraged my swimming career, and joining SAA is one of the ways I have tried to honor her memory,” said Kiley.

Another SAA-Charlotte JAB member, Zetta Grace Bartee, finds inspiration through a young family member’s cancer fight.

“This year, I am swimming the open water swim in Charlotte for my six-year-old cousin Margaret Anne, who has had kidney cancer two times. Her bravery reminds me why I do what I do as a JAB member,” said Zetta Grace.

SAA-Charlotte JAB member, Karlin Smith, knows firsthand how important early detection and treatment is, having witnessed two family members’ cancer diagnoses.

“I swim for my two grandmothers who both fought breast cancer. Fortunately, neither had to go through chemo treatments. The key was an early diagnosis. Organizations like Swim Across America have raised money to develop advanced technology to catch cancer early on and to protect the people we love the most, like my grandmothers,” said Karlin.

The inaugural group of the SAA-Charlotte JAB has 21 members representing five area high schools and various school-affiliated and swim team clubs. Coaches from high schools and local swim clubs hand-selected and invited their students to apply. Applicants completed an online form asking why students are passionate about Swim Across America, what they hope to gain from the program, and previous leadership experience they pass onto others. The group was established with the help of SAA-Charlotte event director, Patty Waldron, and longtime SAA supporter, Sheri Hart.

Once selection was complete and the 21 members were announced, the group quickly formed a plan to ramp up engagement, fundraising, and awareness among their peers. They broke into smaller sub-teams and tackled projects like establishing an SAA-Charlotte JAB Instagram page with weekly #WhyISwim posts, organizing local give back promotions where a portion of proceeds from sales would benefit SAA-Charlotte, and planning family-friendly fun events for the day of the charity swim.

*SAA-Charlotte JAB members at a recent group meeting.*

The members of SAA-Charlotte JAB are Burcham Barlas, Zetta Grace Bartee, Granger Bartee, Abby Druhan, Davis Dunham, Alden Fletcher, Danny Guenther, Kelsi Hart, Kaleigh (KK) Hart, Aidan Hill, Lanie Holden, Caroline Meehan, Ivy Monk, Sofia Plaza, Karlin Smith, Bryce Spangler, and Kiley Wilhelm.

So far, Team Unified has raised over $23,000 and is one of the top fundraising teams for SAA-Charlotte.

“I am incredibly proud of our JAB and all they have accomplished this year. To see the younger generation carry on this important mission is inspiring for everyone involved in our event,” said Sheri.

If you are moved to support the Charlotte Junior Advisory Board and Team Unified, you can donate here.

Swim Across America has raised $100 million since its inception in 1987 to support cancer research and clinical trials across the U.S. Please contact Jeni Howard at jhoward@jhowardpr.com for media inquiries.

SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – ST. LOUIS IN THE NEWS

Posted on August 28, 2023August 27, 2025 Posted in #MakingWavesToFightCancer, #SwimAcrossAmerica, st. louis, UncategorizedTagged media, News, swim across america, televisionLeave a comment

Read or watch local stories featuring the Swim Across America-St. Louis community to learn about their impact. Learn more about the event and beneficiary, Siteman Cancer Center at swimacrossamerica.org/stlouis.

Warren County Record

2025 PHOTO GALLERY: Swim Across America event in Innsbrook raises over $300,000 for cancer research

2024 Media Highlights

SWIM ACROSS AMERICA BLOG – SAASWIM.COM

FROM GRIEF TO HOPE, ELLIE WEHRMANN MAKES WAVES WITH SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – ST. LOUIS

St. Louis Patch

Swim Across America – St. Louis Open Water Swim

Washington University Athletics

Swimming and Diving Raises More Than $17,000 for Swim Across America

2023 Media Highlights

SWIM ACROSS AMERICA BLOG – SAASWIM.COM

SWIM ACROSS AMERICA? TEAM JCT SWIM STRONG ACCEPTS
THE CHALLENGE TO HONOR LOVED ONE

Republic Times

Swimming for a cause

KSDK-TV (NBC, 5) “Show Me St. Louis”

St. Louis family ‘swimming across America’ to honor loved one’s battle with brain cancer

SWIM ACROSS AMERICA – NANTUCKET IN THE NEWS

Posted on July 24, 2023July 24, 2023 Posted in #MakingWavesToFightCancer, #SwimAcrossAmerica, nantucket, News, Top Fundraisers, UncategorizedTagged cancer, media, News, swim across america, televisionLeave a comment

Read or listen to local stories featuring the Swim Across America-Nantucket community to learn about their impact. Learn more about the event and beneficiaries, Nantucket Cottage Hospital, PASCON, and Mass General Cancer Center, at swimacrossamerica.org/nantucket.