Swim Across America of Long Island Sound (SAALIS) announced today that it will hold a Chappaqua, NY-based swim event that will raise money and awareness for cancer research, prevention, and treatment. This is the second year that Chappaqua Swim and Tennis (CST) Club in Westchester has hosted a Swim Across America event. In its inaugural year, CST raised $30K, becoming the third most successful Swim Across America pool event in the New York area.
This year the swim will be held on Sunday, July 14, between 6:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. at CST and offers swimmers of all ages and from all area pools the opportunity to swim one mile or half mile individually or with a team.
In addition to swimming in CST’s event, Bobby Hackett, 1976 Olympic silver medalist in the 1500-meter freestyle and Katonah resident, will host a free swim clinic on competitive training techniques. “It was really wonderful to participate in CST’s event last summer,” said Hackett, who has participated in many Swim Across America events in the past. “It’s always so moving to join fellow swimmers of all ages and abilities, who are motivated to make a difference.”
For Dan Levy, coach of CST’s champion swim team, Swim Across America is not only a way to honor loved ones whom our community has lost to cancer. “Seeing young swimmers who are eager to use their athletic abilities to raise funds to fight cancer is always inspiring, but I am also touched by adults who swim laps with us for this cause – many of whom are recreational swimmers,” commented Levy.
“Everyone is welcome to join us,” added Liz Fuerstman, president of CST. We invite anyone in Westchester to participate with us either by swimming or making a pledge to our site. Whether you swim, volunteer, or become a sponsor, Swim Across America is a great opportunity for our community to come together for a worthy cause.”
About Swim Across America
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 2012 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.
