Kevin Ahern's Page
We started Team Poppy in 2006 when my dad was diagnosed with lymphoma and was given 6-8 weeks to live due to 3 brain tumors. We have swum every year since and have raised over $100,000 in that time. Every donation, no matter how small, brings us closer to the goal of finding a cure or at least more effective treatments for cancer.
The list of those near and dear to us who we have lost to cancer continues to grow seemingly yearly. My sister-in-law, Alina's sister, Carmen Cerasela Raica passed away at the young age of 54 from breast cancer that had spread throughout her body in February of 2022 leaving behind a daughter. In August of 2020 we lost Alina's brother Laci Laszlo, to testicular cancer at the age of 47, leaving behind a teenage son.
Just last year one of my good friends Kieran O'Brien was diagnosed with Stage 3 Esophageal cancer and he has been battling ever since using all the latest treatments available from the research being funded by our efforts. This is just another reason for me to swim this year, to give back and hopefully help other people to have the positive outcomes that my family has enjoyed and avoid the negative ones.
Another positive factor is that my 12 year old son Aidan will be joining me this year to continue the tradition of giving back for the good fortune he has enjoyed being able to spend time with his grandparents who have both survived cancer. Unfortunately my father passed away in December (due to old age) and it will be sad not to have him there cheering us in, but the thought of the extra 18 years we had with him shine bright in our memories and have us continue to swim each year to spread the good fortune that we have enjoyed with his successful battles with cancer to other families.
Thank you for Your ongoing Support.
You can make a credit card donation here, or send a check to Swim Across America, PO Box 217, Larchmont, NY 10538.
Checks should be made out to Swim Across America but please include a note mentioning my name as the swimmer you are supporting!