TEAM PAYNE for the LI Swim Across America was ‘founded’ in 2004. Many of you know the story of my mother, Jane, who at age 46, with 7 children, ages 1-18, was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, and given a short term life expectancy. She lived, and fought, for 30 more years.

The 2024 swim marks our 20th anniversary, and 12 more months that have passed without my beautiful cousin, Lindsey, and my sibling's glue, my brother Brian. The grief I have felt from losing my sibling has been so great, that I am determined to continue the mission of SAA; to continue searching for cures for this dreaded disease that steals away those we love. 

My brother and I shared a love of the water that was initiated by my parents at birth. (To be fair, he liked catching the fish, while I preferred to swim with them) There were countless trips to the beach, and we shared an idyllic childhood at the Larchmont Shore Club, where we and the 8 children between us were allowed to repeat the pattern. It is both fitting and with sorrow that the swim will put me back on the LSC beach at its conclusion. 

I know we all have our own causes, and most of the people I know are involved with this SAA event, or others. But raising awareness of the impact the funds from the swim are having on the research being done at MSK, or raising awareness to the millions of people touched by cancer, is part of the mission. 

My goal is to raise this awareness, not just the funds. Alone, the total impact is diminished. NO DONATION IS TOO SMALL. It's the people standing behind me that buoy my effort. 

“Our parents leave us too soon, and our kids and spouse come along too late. Our siblings are the only ones who are with us for the entire ride”

THANK YOU! 

Tara