Friends' Central Aquatics Raises $10K for Alex's Lemonade Stand

In April, Friends’ Central Aquatics was thrilled to present a check for $10,000 to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a locally based organization dedicated to finding cures for childhood cancer. Alex’s mother, Liz Scott, who is also the Co-Executive Director of the Foundation, was on hand to receive the check from FCA Director Iain Anderson and FCA coaches Tracy and Sean Ford.

Every other year, FCA hosts a Swim-A-Thon to raise money and awareness for a designated charitable cause and the FCA program. “Learning to give back and help the community is of paramount importance, and, like swimming, doing so can be a lifelong activity,” says FCA Head Coach Iain Anderson. “Our Swim-A-Thons are opportunities for team members to use their strengths to support others.”

Funds raised at past Swim-A-Thons have gone to such charitable causes as helping to rebuild a pool after Hurricane Katrina, supporting swimmers as they train for and compete in the Olympics, and starting a swim program to serve underprivileged children. In 2013, FCA partnered with Swim Across America, a foundation dedicated to raising money and awareness for cancer research, prevention, and treatment through swimming. This year’s Swim-A-Thon was by far the most successful, in large part because the swimmers felt so inspired by the mission of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.

Founded by Alex Scott, who passed away from cancer at the age of 8, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation has funded hundreds of cutting-edge research projects in order to find better treatments and cures for childhood cancer. The Foundation also funds a number of grants aimed at improving the quality of life and care for children with cancer and their families.

At this year’s Swim-A-Thon, more than 100 FCA swimmers of all ages participated in the 4-hour event, and 22 participants swam all four hours. Altogether, the FCA swimmers swam over 11,550 laps – the equivalent of 350 miles! And through their Swim-A-Thon, the 10K raised by Friends’ Central Aquatics can fund a month of research towards the goal of putting an end to childhood cancer.

Congratulations and fantastic job by each FCA swimmer – what a tremendous athletic and philanthropic effort for a very worthy cause!

Please see below for the “Top 3” lap swimmers and the “Top 3” fundraisers of the Friends’ Central Aquatics Swim-A-Thon.

Novice
Laps:
3rd - Colby Whitney
2nd - Olivia Stankieweiz-Goldsmith
1st - Sophie Weingarten: 60 laps

Fundraising:
3rd - Anelia Brown
2nd - Sophie Weingarten
1st - Hannah Seidel-Nini: $630

Junior I
Laps:
3rd - Sophie Cantu
2nd - Annika Naveen
1st - Chloe English: 262 laps

Fundraising:
3rd - Alex Bullard
2nd - Sophie Cantu
1st - Mariam Reyes-Toidze: $825

Junior II & Senior
Laps:
3rd - Sofia Acchione
2nd - Maddie Anderson
1st - Gus Anderson: 359 laps

Fundraising:
3rd - Max Bender
2nd - tie Gus & Maddie Anderson
1st - Kate Raphaely: $500

Friends’ Central Aquatics is a year-round USA swim team that is open to the community. Our comprehensive program offers swim lessons for all ages, a Masters Program, and a Development Team at Bryn Mawr College. If you have any questions or would like any information, you can reach FCA at 610-658-5632 or visit www.swimfca.org.