Swim Across America Long Island Sound Sets New Record

LARCHMONT, NY — Swim Across America Long Island Sound Chapter (SAA-LIS), which recently held seven fundraising pool swims and an open water swim to raise funds for cutting-edge cancer research, prevention and treatment, exceeded its past record. This year the SAA-LIS chapter raised $1.3 million with donations continuing to come in daily.

Swim Across America's open water swim took place July 27 with participants swimming either 2K, 5K or 10K from the Larchmont Yacht Club out to open water and then returning to shore at the Larchmont Shore Club.

There were also charity swims at local pool, including those in Rye, Pelham, Eastchester and Chappaqua.

“It has been a record-breaking year for SAA-LIS, and I couldn’t be prouder of the hundreds of swimmers, kayakers and volunteers who have given so much of their time, energy and passion to help in the fight against cancer,” says Tony Sibio, executive director of SAA-LIS.

“Everyone involved understands that cancer doesn’t discriminate and that their contributions help make cutting-edge research possible. They are giving hope to those with cancer and making a real difference,” he said.

Proceeds from the swims will support immunotherapy research at the Swim Across America Laboratory at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, pediatric oncology research at Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York-Presbyterian and patient services with Westchester-based Cancer Support Team.

During SAA-LIS’s 27th annual open water swim, Merck, one of Swim Across America’s national sponsors, also announced a $2 million contribution to the national nonprofit. Merck’s support of Swim Across America now totals $5 million including a $3 million charitable donation announced in 2017. The contributions allow Swim Across America to further expand its charity swim program to raise more funds for cancer research.

Donations are welcome throughout the year and can be sent to SAA-Long Island Sound, P.O. Box 217, Larchmont, NY 10538.

Swim Across America, Inc. was founded in 1987 and has raised more than $70 million for cancer research and prevention programs at hospitals and managed-care facilities. Since Swim Across America’s inception, it has grown from having a single event in Nantucket, Massachusetts, to 15 open water benefit swims across the country and 100 annual pool swims.

The Long Island Sound chapter was started in 1992 and has grown to be the largest in the organization, having raised more than $19 million since its inception and $1.3 million in 2019 alone.

For more information about Swim Across America Long Island Chapter, go to its website.

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