Swim Across America (SAA) is a national organization dedicated to raising money and awareness for cancer research, prevention and treatment through swimming-related events. With the help of hundreds of volunteers nationwide and past and current Olympians, SAA is helping find a cure for cancer through athleticism, community outreach and direct service.
On Thursday, July 16, the swimmers of Team Hope participated in a ½- or 1-mile swim at the North Hempstead Country Club to “Make Waves to Fight Cancer.” Now entering its 12th year, Team Hope has raised over $812,000 for cancer research, treatment and prevention.
“The members of Team Hope are committed to the support of the families and friends who are engaged in the struggle against cancer. We have dedicated ourselves to the memory of those whose battle is over and who are now at peace,” said Mike Ford, who runs Team Hope with his daughter Kiera. Steve Hoban started Team Hope in 2004. Ford, a Port resident and a member of North Hempstead Country Club since 1989, originally swam with the Larchmont chapter of Swim Across America in 2000. He decided to switch to the local chapter in Nassau County, once established, after several friends were stricken by the disease. Mary DeNisco’s husband, Anthony, was one such cancer victim. She was on hand at this year’s event, as she is every year.
There are a few upcoming opportunities to participate in SAA this summer. In Nassau County at Eisenhower Park Aquatic Center on Wednesday, July 22, SWAA will hold an event, contact pam@awimacrossamerica.org. The last organized event is Sound To the Cove Swim To Fight Cancer at Morgan Memorial Park in Glen Cove on Saturday, Aug. 8. For more information on the Glen Cove event contact kevin@swimacrossamerica.org.
The proceeds of the swim supports cancer research at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center’s SAA Laboratory, the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, the Feinstein Institute and the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Also, they are supporting Fighting Chance, a free cancer resource and counseling center in Sag Harbor, NY, and the Miracle Foundation Pavilion at Mercy Medical Center in Rockville Centre.
