When it comes to raising much needed funds for cancer research, prevention and treatment programs, Chappaqua Swim & Tennis knows how to make a splash. On Sunday, July 13, from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., CST will host its third annual Swim Across America, Long Island Sound Chapter (SAA-LIS) pool swim. The fundraiser will offer swimmers of all ages and from all area pools the opportunity to swim one mile or a half- mile, individually or with a team.
As a bonus, the event features a clinic on competitive swim techniques with 1976 Olympic medalist and Katonah resident Bobby Hackett, who won silver for the U.S. in the 1500 meter freestyle competition.
The CST swim has been a contributor to the success of the SAA-LIS chapter in the past few years. In 2013, CST raised over $38,000, becoming the third most successful Swim Across America pool event in the New York area.
SAA-LIS is rolling out eight other participation opportunities throughout the summer, including an open-water swim course on Long Island Sound that will offer participants the option of swimming 2K, 5K or 10K. The chapter’s open-water swim in Larchmont was recently recognized by the World Open Water Swimming Association as one of America’s Top 100 Open Water Swims.
Those interested in participating in the 2014 SAA-LIS events can register to swim, volunteer to help, or sponsor a swimmer at www.swimacrossamerica.org/long_island. Donations can be sent to SAA-Long Island Sound, P.O. Box 217, Larchmont, NY 10538.
“Last summer we raised approximately $1 million for cancer research thanks to the efforts of more than 1,000 swimmers and volunteers,” says Mr. Sibio. “We have a tremendous group of swimmers who participate every year, and we are very grateful to them and their commitment to finding effective new treatments for cancer. Of course, we are always looking to expand our family of swimmers and transcend last year’s record.”
Proceeds from this year’s SAA-LIS will be donated to the Cancer Support Team (serving lower Westchester), the Tommy Palazzo Fellowship for Columbia University and Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital at New York-Presbyterian, The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center’s Swim Across America and DeMatteo Research Laboratories, and United Hospice of Clarkstown.
Swim Across America, Inc. was founded in 1987 and currently offers nearly 50 swims in 14 states. The organization has raised over $40 million for cancer research and prevention programs at the country’s finest hospitals and managed-care facilities.
The Long Island Sound chapter was started in 1992, and has grown to be the largest in the organization, having raised over $12 million since its inception, and over $1 million in 2013 alone. Beneficiaries include: Swim Across America & the DeMatteo Research Labs at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, the Tommy Palazzo Fellowship for Pediatric Oncology Research at Columbia-Presbyterian Children’s Hospital, the Cancer Support Team of Westchester, the United Hospice of Rockland County.
