Swim Across America Announces New ‘Coast to Coast’ Fundraiser

Swim Across America-Atlanta (SAA-Atlanta) recently announced a new Coast to Coast virtual activity tracking and fundraising challenge to make waves in the fight against childhood cancer. Coast to Coast will replace the in-person open water swim in 2020 due to safety precautions surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak.

People of all ages from around the country can join Team SAA-Atlanta and work together to travel across America with a mission to support cancer research. Participants can choose their own activities and goals such as a walk, bike ride, run, swim or any favorite physical activity in any safe location in your local community. Patients can even log cancer treatment hours. The virtual route will travel to each Swim Across America open water event city (21 ‘stops’) for a 7,686-mile journey. Tracking began June 22nd and will culminate Sept. 26, 2020.

“Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, we are unable to have a live, in-person event this summer,” lamented Nicole Schwartz, SAA – Atlanta event director. “However, we are thrilled to be able to bring everyone together with a virtual 'Coast to Coast' Challenge as a way for swimmers, volunteers, family and friends to continue the fight against childhood cancer.”

In just eight years, SAA – Atlanta has grown into a top event in both fundraising and attendance for Swim Across America (SAA), which hosts swim events coast-to-coast that fund life-saving cancer research.

“The reason for the success of the SAA – Atlanta swim are our 40-plus local swim teams from high schools, swim clubs, families, and corporate teams like sponsors Accenture and Cisco, who dive into “fun” raising in honor and memory of cancer warriors,” continues Schwartz. “Thanks to their commitment, we’ve been able to contribute so much over the years to this deserving cause.”

SAA—Atlanta funds benefit the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. This year’s event will benefit the research efforts of Young Investigators at the Aflac Cancer Center. Support for young investigators provides funding to a cohort of promising investigators and future research leaders to encourage and promote quality research in clinical oncology. The intent is to fund physicians and provide career and project support for young, proven investigators in postdoctoral fellowships or who have recently achieved junior faculty positions and are committing their lives to the field of pediatric cancer to provide research with vibrant new ideas. Funding is designed to nurture young scientists in the pursuit of independent hypotheses and enable them to develop the preliminary data necessary to successfully compete for major research grants. SAA funding will support five young investigators and their respective research studies.

To date, SAA – Atlanta has raised $2.25 million for the Aflac Cancer Center. Previous funds have supported pediatric brain research, leukemia research and clinical trials.

“Thanks to partners like Swim Across America, the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center remains a national leader in pediatric cancer treatment research through development of protocols that improve the way we fight childhood cancer,” said Dr. Douglas Graham, Chief of the Aflac Cancer Center. “Swim Across America’s commitment to cancer research, including support for our Young Investigators at the Aflac Cancer Center, is critical to helping us find innovative treatment options.”

To participate in the Coast to Coast challenge or donate, visit WWW.SWIMACROSSAMERICA.ORG/ATLANTA.

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About Swim Across America

Founded in 1987, Swim Across America holds dozens of community-oriented open-water swims from coast-to-coast, each fundraising for a local beneficiary that supports cancer research, prevention and treatment. The organization is characterized by their desire to make a meaningful impact in the fight against cancer through their love for swimming. To learn more, visit swimacrossamerica.org.

About the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

The Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is a national leader among childhood cancer, hematology, and blood and marrow transplant programs, serving children and young adults. Recognized as one of the top childhood cancer centers in the country by U.S. News & World Report, the Aflac Cancer Center cares for more than 475 newly diagnosed cancer patients and treats more than 2,000 unique sickle cell disease patients each year. Ranked number one in the country for COG therapeutic clinical trial enrollment, our program offers patients access to more than 400 clinical trials, including 13 innovative Aflac Cancer Center investigator-led trials.