Inaugural Swim Across America Nashville Event Scheduled for April 23

Swim Across America is coming to Nashville to #makewaves to #fightcancer! In its inaugural Nashville event, Swim Across America, a national organization with 22 open water swims across the country from Boston to the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge, with hundreds of pool swims in between, is expanding to Nashville - with the help of five-time Olympic gold medalist (2012, 2016) swimmer Missy Franklin, who has been a long-time supporter of Swim Across America. The Swim Across America - Nashville event will be a team relay charity swim held Saturday, April 23, 2022, at the Ensworth Natatorium, Frist Campus, 7401 Highway 100, Nashville, Tennessee 37221. Registration is a $50 self-donation and all proceeds benefit the local beneficiary, the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. Those interested in participating can register at swimacrossamerica.org/nashville.

“I’m beyond excited to be part of the inaugural swim in Nashville that will raise much-needed funds for crucial cancer research,” said Missy Franklin. “Working with the local event director Chris McPherson has been great. Chis is passionate about finding better ways to treat cancer and to doing that by bringing Swim Across America to Nashville. It’s going to be a really fun, inspirational day!”

Missy Franklin has been involved in Swim Across America events since 2016. As a five-time gold medal Olympic swimmer, a new Mom, and a champion for health, Missy’s commitment to Swim Across America has helped shine a light on the event and inspire more to participate.

“Having Missy be a part of our team organizing this inaugural event in Nashville has been so helpful,” said Chris McPhearson, the Nashville Swim Across America event director. “We are really excited to bring Swim Across America to Nashville and have already gotten a great response from local Nashville residents who want to help #makewaves to #fightcancer.”

All ages and skill levels are invited to participate in the Swim Across America - Nashville event. The event will be in a team relay format that combines fundraising and yardage in a fun swim environment.

Why does Swim Across America - Nashville swim to raise money in the fight against cancer? Cancer touches everyone — whether it is a loved one or a friend, we all know someone who has been impacted by cancer. In 2022, it is estimated that 1.9 million new cases of cancer will be diagnosed and there will be more than 600,000 cancer deaths in the U.S. These staggering statistics offer compelling proof of the need to continue devising new approaches to treatment. Whether it is through swimming, volunteering, donating or cheering on loved ones and friends, Swim Across America - Nashville welcomes anyone and everyone who wants to be a part of the fight against cancer.

Funds raised by Swim Across America - Nashville go directly to support cancer research at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, which was founded in 1993 and became an NCI-Designated Cancer Center in 1995 and a comprehensive cancer center in 2001. Vanderbilt-Ingram is an inclusive, collaborative, interdisciplinary cancer research community with more than 280 members dedicated to advancing discoveries in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for both adult and pediatric cancers.

Swim Across America was founded in 1987 by Matt Vossler and his lifelong friend and college roommate Jeff Keith, who is a cancer survivor.. Throughout its years, Swim Across America has raised $100 million in the fight against cancer. More than 150 Olympians support Swim Across America, including Missy Franklin, Michael Phelps, Craig Beardsley, Donna De Varona, Rowdy Gaines, Janel Jorgensen McArdle, Bobby Hackett, Ryan Lochte, Glenn Mills, Elizabeth Beisel, Jenny Thompson, Cristina Teuscher and many more.

To learn more about Swim Across America- Nashville or to register to swim, volunteer or donate, visit swimacrossamerica.org/nashville.

About Swim Across America
Swim Across America, Inc. (SAA) is dedicated to raising money and awareness for cancer research, prevention and treatment through swimming-related events. With the help of hundreds of volunteers nationwide and past and current Olympians, Swim Across America is helping find a cure for cancer through athleticism, community outreach and direct service. To learn more visit swimacrossamerica.org or swimacrossamerica.org/nashville or follow on Facebook @SwimAcrossAmerica or @nashvillesaa or Instagram @SAASwim or @saanashville and Twitter @SAASwim.