Hundreds Swimming For Cancer Research At Narragansett Beach

NARRAGANSETT, RI — Hundreds of local swimmers will make a big splash for cancer research next month when they participate in the 13th annual Swim Across America Rhode Island open water swim.

The swim on Sept. 10 at Roger Wheeler State Beach in Narragansett will include Olympic swimmers Elizabeth Beisel, Allison Schmitt, Alex Meyer and Clara LaMore Walker, as well as more than a dozen college swim teams, raising money for cancer research at Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island.

While hundreds of local swimmers, water and land volunteers join in the swim, the Rhode Island event is known for having more college swim teams participate than any other swim in the country.

A spokesperson for Swim Across America said this is thanks to John O’Neill, the head coach of Providence College men's and women's swimming and diving Teams. O'Neill joined Swim Across America 12 years ago because he wanted to help make a difference in the fight against cancer. He then used his connections as a coach to get other college teams involved.

"Too many family members and friends have been lost to cancer, and we wanted to do something that could help," O'Neill said.

As a coach, leader and friend, the coach has also been the support system for two of his athletes who faced cancer battles while students at Providence College: Colleen Lowell and Kara McCurdy."

"I am so thankful for the support Coach John has given me throughout my time at Providence College," McCurdy said. "Coach John gave me the opportunity to continue doing what I love and never gave up on me, even after having cancer. After hearing about his involvement with Swim Across America Rhode Island, I knew Providence was the right place for me."

McCurdy will be swimming this year with Coach O’Neill’s Providence College team.

Since its inception in 2010, Swim Across America Rhode Island has raised nearly $2 million to fund cancer research at Women & Infants Hospital. This year's swim will include three options: a quarter-mile, half-mile or 1-mile open water swim. Swimmers and volunteers interested in participating should register at Swim Across America's website.