Dear Friends and Family,

I have been participating in this amazing event and cause for the past 21 years since Kevin Shine asked me to join when my brother Paul was diagnosed with Ocular Melanoma. Since that time, I lost my brother Paul, my sister JoAnn, my father-in-law Tom Murn, my brother-in-law Richie Magnussen, my son in laws father Tom Malone, my son in laws uncle Michael Finley and most recently, my brother-in-law George Murn, all of whom have succumbed to Cancer. In addition, I lost a number of friends to Cancer and know each and every one of you have experienced loss as well.

One would say, why would you continue to participate in this event and cause when you have experienced so much loss? My response is that despite these devastating experiences, there have been several positive outcomes such as my niece Angela DiMaso, who battled Leukemia for 2-1/2 years and is in remission and doing very well. In addition, my Aunt Fay and my sister-in-law Lori Murn, both battled breast cancer and have been in remission for many years so I am 100% confident that this event and cause is having a real impact in the fight against cancer and ultimately finding a cure.

This year, I am dedicating my swim to my sister Donna, who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and has gone through a major surgery to eradicate it once and for all. Donna has incredible strength, determination and courage and an inspiration to us all. I am also dedicating this swim to my first cousin Lenny Genovese who was recently diagnosed with liver cancer. Lenny has already completed a series of radiation treatments and is undergoing immunotherapy treatments. He is also incredibly strong and has a positive attitude and know he will not let cancer win this battle. I am also dedicating this swim to the memory of my brother-in-law George Murn who died of Lung Cancer back in January at the young age of 59. George was not only a brother-in-law but a friend, and a very generous supporter of the swim and a huge believer in the great work we are doing. 

There is no better way to honor or memorialize your loved ones who are or who have battled this horrible disease as the proceeds from your donations will support Immunotherapy research at the Swim Across America Laboratories at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center & New York Presbyterian Hospital, lung cancer clinical trials at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, pediatric brain cancer research at the Feinstein Institute of North Shore and pediatric oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Children's Cancer Hospital.

Thank you very much for your support.

Jim