I will always swim as a thyroid cancer survivor, and will always swim in memory of my dad who I lost to kidney cancer. This year is 10 years cancer free for me and is a huge milestone! This swim and cause has been near and dear to my heart for 8 years now. Training for this swim is part of how I got back to feeling like my old self post cancer! And has kept me in the water and training every year since!

Each year however, I hear of more and more friends and family affected by cancer. I have seen first hand the work these doctos are doing here in Charlotte, and it is truly amazing! Every little bit donated helps the Charlotte swim raise the funds needed to fund projects here at Levine Cancer Center, where both myself and my dad received cancer treatment! 

This is why I swim. 

For the hope that one day the doctors will find a cure, or a way to eradicate this family of diseases! I have seen first hand some of the research that is being done here in Charlotte thanks to the funds from this swim. It is amazing work and the future of medicine is great!  The hopspital that receives these funds is in this area, but the research they are doing will help many farther away as well. I can't thank the Swim Across America team enough for getting me in contact with the kidney specialist at Levine to consult with my dad on his care.   I hope that the research continues so other families don’t have to experience the pain that we have just gone through.

In our lifetime, 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will be diagnosed with cancer. I joined the SAA community so that, together, we can change that. I am challenging myself by swimming in the Charlotte Open Water Swim and raising as much money to fight cancer as I can. Please support me by sponsoring my swim and making a gift. The money you give will go towards cancer research, prevention and treatment and will make an impact in the fight to find a cure.  Thank you for your generosity and may it lead to a cancer-free world!

You can make a credit card donation here, or send a check to Swim Across America, 11600 N. Community House Rd., Suite 100, Charlotte, NC 28277.

Check should be made out to Swim Across America but please include a note mentioning my name as the swimmer you are supporting!