August 1, 2024

SWIM ACROSS AMERICA

MAKING WAVES TO FIGHT CANCER

Dear Friends:

         
    For the past 37 years I have had the privilege of participating in Swim Across America events to raise money for cancer research. As many of you know, Swim Across America (“SAA”) is a national non-profit dedicated to raising money and awareness for cancer research through extreme swim related events. SAA has been a part of my life for the past 37 years. I have been a proud supporter of SAA from its inception, as a donor, swimmer, volunteer, General Counsel, member of the Board of Directors, Chairman of the Board and now Vice-Chairman.

Our organization has grown from a humble single event in Long Island Sound, Connecticut, raising $5,000.00 in 1987, to twenty-four open water swims across the country raising an estimated $10 million dollars annually. Our organization funds research labs and programs across the country in top hospitals like Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Memorial Sloane Kettering, Johns Hopkins, Baylor, MD Anderson and more. We continue to grow as an organization due to the generosity of all of you. This year we will surpass $135 million raised for cancer research since 1987. Our research labs are on the cutting edge of research and have made international headlines for their success in defeating cancer.

Over the past two decades, SAA has awarded Memorial Sloan Kettering and Dr. Jedd Wolchok more than $18 million dollars, allowing MSK to conduct immunotherapy clinical trials and cutting-edge translational research. This funding has played a major role in MSK clinically developing four FDA approved immunotherapy medicines. At Johns Hopkins, SAA partnered with Dr. Luis Diaz in funding the clinical trials for an immunotherapy vaccine called Keytruda. With SAA funding Johns Hopkins was able to gain FDA approval of Keytruda which is now saving lives. These are just two examples (of many) of the impact Swim Across America has had in the fight against cancer. In all our labs and with our partnerships with all of the top hospitals in the country, we are making a huge impact in the fight against cancer. In 37 years, SAA has provided over $135 million plus in SAA grants to its beneficiaries which has turned into an estimated $350 million plus in new funding which they would not have received but for the commitment of SAA. For more information on our organization, please feel free to visit our website at www.swimacrossamerica.org. But, the fight is not over and we need your help.

The good news is that every year millions of people are beating cancer through advancements in research and treatments. I am proud to state that Swim Across America has been in the forefront of funding successful cutting-edge research and investigators. The fight against cancer is not over yet and I am writing to seek your assistance once again. Like all chronic illnesses, cancer strikes families and impacts so many lives that we must continue to fight and raise funds and awareness. In these troubling times, we are reminded of how fragile life is and that there is nothing more important in life than our HEALTH.

On August 10, 2024, Swim Across America Boston will be hosting an Open Water swim at Castle Island\Pleasure Bay to benefit the David Perini Quality of Life Clinic at the Dana-Farber Cancer Center and the Massachusetts General Hospital for Children Cancer Center. I am volunteering and will also be participating this month in a virtual personal health challenge running and biking, as the shape I am in, I may sink if I swim. I am humbled every year by the response I get from this letter. I thank you for your support in the past, and I ask for your financial support again to help in our fight against cancer.

I will forever be thankful for all your kind contributions. It is the generosity of people like you that have made an impact on such a terrible disease. To make your contribution, please visit: www.swimacrossamerica.org/goto/curran24. I close in challenging all of you to join Swim Across America in an event near you to raise money for a great cause.

Thank you all for your continued friendship and generosity.
Very truly yours,

Hugh R. Curran

P.S. All donations can also be made payable to the Swim Across America, and may be sent to:

Hugh R. Curran
Bletzer & Bletzer P.C.
300 Market Street
Brighton, MA 0213