Attend the Northeast's largest Open Water SWIM Marathon - Saturday, August 6

August 3 -- St. Vincent’s SWIM Across the Sound Marathon
A Day Expected to be Filled with Inspiration and Entertainment

Bridgeport, CT, 2013 –On August 3, 2013, approximately 200 swimmers will take the plunge into Long Island Sound at West Beach in Port Jefferson, NY, and make the 25 kilometer (15.5 mile) swim to Captain’s Cove Seaport in Bridgeport, CT. They will be accompanied by 130 volunteer boaters and  approximately 150 additional volunteers to support St. Vincent’s Elizabeth Pfriem SWIM Cancer Center.

The public is invited to come to Captain’s Cove to cheer on the swimmers and join in the festivities.  There is no charge for entrance to Captain’s Cove or to enjoy music provided by the DJ.  Miss Connecticut, Kaitlyn Tarpey of Stamford, will be visiting in the afternoon. Delicious seafood can be purchased at the Cove and General Electric will provide a children’s tent to entertain children for a $5.00 donation.  The tent features face painting, sand art, ice cream sundaes, fun photo booth, and a child-friendly Touch Tank from the Maritime Aquarium.  Swimmers are expected to arrive at the dock between 2:00pm and 6:30pm and will be cheered on by spectators.

Executive Director of St. Vincent’s Foundation, Lyn Fine-McCarthy stated, “There are so many compelling stories associated with the SWIM Across the Sound Marathon.  Everyone knows someone with cancer. Many of the swimmers, boat captains and volunteers are involved in the event because in some way their lives have been touched by cancer and they want to do something to help others who are battling cancer’s numerous challenges.”

McCarthy highlighted several stories, including two swimmers who are flying in from Mexico to compete in the marathon and to support the SWIM’s cancer programs.

Doug Schwartz of Stamford swam in the Marathon several times in past years as a way of giving to others less fortunate.  He never dreamed he would personally need the type of assistance St. Vincent’s SWIM Across the Sound provides to cancer patients and their families.  Now, as father of a six year-old boy who is currently undergoing three years of treatments for Leukemia, Schwartz speaks with reverence and gratitude for the financial support the SWIM has provided to his family.

Ellie Krevolin of Monroe, a mother of a 21-year old, inspired coworkers to join her in the SWIM Marathon to raise money to support cancer patients like her son who recently finished treatments for Hodgkins Lymphoma.  She saw first-hand how the medical battle is only part of the challenge that individuals and families face with cancer. 

Volunteer Arlene Cummings and her husband, both cancer survivors from Monroe, received services from the SWIM. As survivors and parents of three children, they are strong supporters of our programs.

Google Executive Scott Johnston of Darien is swimming solo in the SWIM Marathon.  Johnston is a 10-year cancer survivor and his wife is a 6-year survivor.  He is swimming for the thrill of the physical challenge and the cause.

“The stories are endless,” said Fine-McCarthy.  “It’s really an incredible day filled with so many individual and collective stories, accompanied by emotions of excitement, hope and inspiration.”

Over the past 26 years, what the SWIM has been able to accomplish for those suffering from cancer – and for their families –is a true testament to what commitment, determination and community support can achieve.  Since that first marathon which raised $5,000 back in 1987, the SWIM has grown into a series of year-round events raising $2.6 million annually to support the 45 different programs that touch the lives of more than 20,000 in the state of Connecticut.  People fighting cancer, some without insurance or money for food, utilities, medications or housing, now have somewhere to turn thanks to the SWIM.

SWIM Across the Sound provides screening and support services to our community, ranging from prevention to survivorship programs. The SWIM offers a significant safety net to our region by providing one-on-one financial assistance to cancer patients regardless of where they receive their care. We are often the charity of last resort for people with cancer in our community who would otherwise have no place else to turn.  Last year alone, the SWIM served over 20,000 individuals.

For more information about this year’s SWIM, or to donate to make a donation, please go to www.swimacrossthesound.org or call our Foundation office at 203.576.5451.