On Saturday, June 24th, more than 240 swimmers made waves in the fight to defeat cancer at the 11th annual Swim Across America Greenwich-Stamford Swim. The swim, usually held in the open water in Long Island Sound, was relocated to the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich due to tropical depression thunderstorms. However, being inside and swimming in a pool didn’t dampen the spirits of the swimmers and volunteers who joined together and raised more than $410,000 for the Swim’s beneficiary, the Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy (ACGT).
Over the past 11 years, the Greenwich-Stamford Swim Across America event has raised more than $3.75 million to support several ACGT-funded scientists working on better ways to treat cancer. ACGT, headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, is the nation’s only non-profit dedicated to funding cancer cell, gene and immunotherapy research, and is unique in that 100 percent of donations go directly into cancer research grants.
One of the Swim’s highlights was honorary speaker Alec Fraser, father of Julian Fraser, who spoke about the importance of raising funds for cancer research. Alec stated that even though his son Julian’s disease had progressed too far to be helped by current treatments, they are hopeful that there will soon be better treatments available. Alec noted how fitting it was that this year’s Swim was moved to the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich, where Julian swam as a child.
The event was co-chaired by Michele Graham and Lorrie Lorenz. “The Greenwich-Stamford Swim Across America event is truly one of the most inspirational and uplifting events,” said Graham. “To see more than 400 participants swim, serve food, register participants and cheer everyone on, was truly moving.”
Donations are still being accepted at swimacrossamerica.org/greenwich.
Photos Courtesy of Swim Across America
