35 YEARS. 35 STORIES OF IMPACT.
Our story begins with a sunken boat in 1987 and $100 Million raised for cancer research 35 years later - this is a celebration of the Swim Across America movement.
ORIGIN
A sunken boat in the Sound on August 1, 1987 transformed into $100 million in cancer research. Learn How.
EXPANSION
In 1992, Swim Across America incorporated and began expanding into new markets. See the history.
BREAKTHROUGHS
35 years of funding pioneers in cancer research by Swim Across America has saved lives. Learn How.
LEADERSHIP
The leaders of Swim Across America have guided an organization that is saving lives. See who they are.
GRASSROOTS
"The swim raises money and the swimmers raise a ruckus." In 1995, the grassroots SAA movement takes on its biggest challenge yet: New York City. Hear more about the Hudson.
LEGACY
Beneficiaries across the country have honored the legacy of Swim Across America. See what's next.
OLYMPIANS
Over 150 Olympians have volunteered their time to make waves to fight cancer. Hear their stories.
TIME
Advancements have given hope and the precious gift of time to those battling cancer. Learn How SAA has contributed.
IN MEMORIAM
"We have dedicated ourselves to the memory of those whose battle is over and who are now at peace." See how we honor loved ones.
FUTURE
Swim Across America participants have never been scared to take bold leaps. What does the future hold for SAA?
ROBERT MCLAREN
SAA - HOUSTON
"I got involved with SAA as a way to honor so many who have battled cancer and to do my part to "Make Cancer History."
WYATT DEATON
SAA - TAMPA
“We are so proud of all Wyatt is doing to help make waves and fight cancer,” said his Mom Michelle. “Wyatt swims in honor of me - I’m a cancer thriver - and for family and friends who have lost their battle or are fighting now.”
BRAD JOHNSON & JANA CHANTHABANE
SAA - CHARLESTON-KIAWAH
“Our goal for the Charleston- Kiawah swim is to continue to fund the projects at Hollings that are truly making the impossible possible and be able to fund more than one researcher each year."
CRAIG LAWRENCE
SAA - FAIRFIELD COUNTY
"I’m incredibly proud to have played a role in helping the Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy-funded researchers who have made tremendous advances in the development of cell and gene therapies across multiple cancer types over the past decade, and I will continue to swim and support their efforts until cancer becomes a disease of the past."
CHAD STEED
SAA - MOTOR CITY MILE
"The funds raised are making an amazing real-time difference in research and supporting those currently in treatment as well as those who may deal with cancer in the future. As a 21-year cancer survivor I am proud and honored to be part of Swim Across America and to do all I can to support their efforts.”
JILL ROETHKE & JIM PIGNATO
SAA - NANTUCKET
“As a result of the Swim Across America Nantucket event, patients now receive treatments and see world-class oncologists on-island at the Swim Across America Infusion Center, instead of having to travel to the mainland for these services. It has been a game-changer for those facing cancer on Nantucket.”
1992 SWIM
SAA - LONG ISLAND SOUND
"SAA-LIS’s goal is to prevent future generations from ever being afflicted with this menacing disease."
TEAM CAROLYN
SAA - NASSAU/SUFFOLK
"We are looking forward to joining a community dedicated to fighting cancer, the disease that took Carolyn Jaenisch from us, while simultaneously doing something she loved : swimming."
KITTY TETREAULT
SAA - BOSTON
“Swimming has been my salvation and peace during treatment (and in life) and as long as cancer is out there I will continue to raise money for research and treatment of cancer.”
TEAM KENNEDY
SAA - CHICAGO
“Mark and I, along with our families, friends, fellow BC teammates have enjoyed watching SAA evolve and grow over the last thirty years. It is a perfect venture, a place where our shared passion for swimming and the unique mission of Swim Across America merged and most importantly, through it all, we continue to give hope to people who have been touched by cancer.”
ERIC VITCENDA
SAA - DENVER
"I have committed myself to helping others accomplish their goals, and help raise awareness and money for cancer research, specifically for Children's Hospital Colorado's Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders."
JAY PELUSO & FAMILY
SAA - RICHMOND
"“The folks at Swim Across America were amazing. They helped us so much I can't even explain it."
DENTON & WILSON FAMILIES
SAA - ST. LOUIS
"This year, SAA St. Louis will surpass $1,000,000 raised for cancer research at Siteman Cancer Center. We are committed to Swim Across America to provide hope for those impacted by cancer."
TEAM MARTHA RIES
SAA - SEATTLE
"We are not the only ones and our resolve to carry on to discover treatments and fight cancer are ever more empowered."
JOHN O'NEILL
SAA - RHODE ISLAND
"Too many family members and friends have been lost to cancer and we wanted to do something that could help."
TEAM ROCK ON
SAA - BALTIMORE
"Participating in SAA Baltimore honors our mom's memory in a very personal way. Every year at the swim, we see the faces of people who’s lives our fundraising has helped save, and even though we still wish our mom could be one of those faces, it helps us to cope with her loss to know that our swimming is truly making a difference."
OLYMPIAN ROOTS OF SAA-ATLANTA
SAA - ATLANTA
"10 years ago Olympians helped bring SAA to Atlanta."
DANIEL WATTERS, JEANNE DOOLAN CUNNINGHAM & ANDREA HAYES DICKSON
SAA - DALLAS
"With the help of then SAA President Janel Jorgensen (a teammate of Andrea and Daniel on the 1988 Olympic Team), SAA - Dallas would establish funding for Phase 1 clinical research at the Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center."
SUSAN HELMRICH
SAA - SAN FRANCISCO
“I continue to volunteer for Swim Across America as captain of Team Susan Survives! because it is my small way of giving something back to the universe because, for whatever reason, I am one of the lucky ones. In my own small way, I hope to inspire, motivate and encourage others to keep trying and to keep going even when it seems hopeless.”
TEAM GANS STRONG
SAA - CHARLOTTE
"We continue to give back to the cancer community in Charlotte which we know all too well to give hope to all of the families that will unfortunately have to go through the same thing as us. Hope that maybe one day the word cancer will be the past. Hope that hearing the word cancer doesn't present the immediate feeling of fear. Hope that cancer will no longer be an earth shattering diagnosis but something that can be treated and even prevented."
Swim Across America is celebrating 35 years of impact in 2022. SAA has raised $100 million since its inception in 1987 to support cancer research and clinical trials across the U.S. Please contact Jeni Howard at jhoward@jhowardpr.com for media inquiries.