It's 2024 and I am honored to be a team captain for SAA for the fourth time! Our team, Cancer Kickers, outdid ourselves last year and we plan to do it again this year...for the advancement of cancer cures. Most of you know my story. I have included it below if you haven't donated before. 

We each have our own cancer stories to tell about ourselves or our loved ones. Stupid cancer.

Did you know that In our lifetime, 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will be diagnosed with cancer?

I don’t want another family to have to suffer through a horrible cancer diagnosis. I don’t want another child to lose a parent, a spouse to lose a partner, a parent to lose a child, or a sibling to lose a sibling.

And that’s why I swim and why I ask you to support my swim by donating to SAA.

I love that the money we raise for SAA stays in our community.  I have learned, firsthand, that research which explores prevention, early detection and new treatments is the only option we have for making progress against cancer. 

"SAA is a leader in providing the support that leads to wonderful discoveries to abolish cancer....​"Swim Across America has a proven track record of identifying and funding early-stage ideas of promise. Swim Across America grants have played a major role in clinically developing FDA-approved immunotherapy treatments ipilimumab (YERVOY), nivolumab (OPDIVO), pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA), and atezolizumab (TECENTRIQ). To learn more, visit www.swimacrossamerica.org."

We must never give up the hope that we can eliminate cancer in memory, in honor, and for the protection of our loved ones. Please know how much your gift is appreciated. No amount is too small. 

As in years past, if you have a name you would like me to add to my blanket of hope in honor or in memory of someone special to you let me know.

Gratefully,

Ellen Bintz Meuch

Our Family's Story

In 2013 I was a rookie SAA swimmer. My college friend, Cathie Gray, had enticed me to join the event and I jumped in “head first.” I was swimming to honor my 88 year old Aunt who was battling Myeloma.

I enjoyed the fundraising and attended the informational kick-off event at Rush Hospital in June. Cathie encouraged me to take the tour of the new infusion center that was led by a few of the nurses. Reluctantly, I tagged along (to be honest, I wanted to sit and talk with Cathie).

As I toured the facility, I listened with half an ear about the convenience and comfort the new layout provided. I heard them say how great it was the doctors were close by, there were lots of windows, there was a nice waiting area and more. I have to admit, I was impressed with the passion the nurses felt for their patients. Ironically, I told myself how lucky I was to not have to know much about these facilities because no one in my immediate family needed them.

In less than a month that all changed.

Four days before the SAA event, my husband, Lee, was diagnosed with stage IVB pancreatic cancer that had metastasized to his liver, lymph nodes, stomach wall and spleen. He told me “…Doctors say 6-18 months.” And I responded, “Until you are better?” He hung his head and said, “no.” When you hear this type of news your mind doesn’t want to process it the first time. Lee had to start from the beginning and retell me everything.

Processing the news was for me, but it didn’t compare to having to tell our children. See, the doctors told us there was nothing they could do but keep Lee comfortable for the time he had left. The chemo was only to alleviate his intense pain.

When I heard the diagnosis, I exclaimed, “I’ll cancel my swim!” and he emphatically said, "NO! You have to do the swim—it’s for CANCER!"

As difficult as those days were before the event, he was right, and we did not regret the decision. It was a beautiful day. We felt supported and comforted by survivors and the families of those who had lost loved ones to cancer.

I went on to participate in the Swim Across Lake Michigan with the most wonderful group of people. Eighteen of us raised over $100,000 for cancer research. Having Lee and two of my daughters, Sophie and Annie, at the shore when we arrived in Michigan is a memory we still share.

Throughout Lee’s illness, I often thought back to that tour of the Rush infusion center. Lee and I learned very quickly how important convenience, comfort, close doctors and caring infusion nurses are when going through chemo. Also, as Lee’s cancer progressed, my SAA friends stayed in touch and supported us along our journey.

Sadly, Lee did not make it to the 2014 SAA event. My sweet aunt died in 2017.