Founded in 1987, Swim Across America has hosted charity swims with one goal: to raise money for innovative cancer research that would lead to breakthrough treatments and therapies. Since then, Swim Across America has raised over $100M to fund the next generation of oncology and cancer-support care pioneers. I joined Swim Across America because I believe in their mission and want to help give more families hope. If you are able, please support the cause by making a donation. Please know there are absolutely no expectations for your contribution. I hope to do this again and possibly on an annual basis. 

I am swimming the one-mile swim in honor of a dear, sweet, family member and friend, Susie Atwood Brown (48), who lost her battle against ovarian cancer after a 9-month battle on 8/29/24. She leaves behind her amazing, loving husband, Dan Brown, and their two boys, Graham (17) and Hudson (15). 

I am also swimming in honor of my cousin, MaryDana McCann Goldstein, and my sister in law, Maria Louisa Aracena Rivera, who continue to valiantly battle this awful disease. Further, for my grandmothers, Mary Christine McCann and Laura Margaret Kettle, and many other family members and friends who have thankfully survived and tragically, some who did not.

I won't go into detail on my deep admiration and love for those listed above and what amazing people they are and were. There is too much to say and I am sure I will not ever be able to choose the right words. I will think of every one of them while I am wrestling with currents, limited vision and gagging on salt water. That is nothing compared to what they deal(t) with. I will be talking to Susie and telling her how heartbroken my sister Barbara and her family are, like so many others, but how they promise to always be there for her boys and Dan. I will recall our wonderful memories of Sundance Festivals and our very own paparazzi posse, your sightings of literally every celeb, Christmas parties, hikes, Zion, camping trips, girls dinners at your home, New Year's Eve celebrations, how very fun, awesome and welcoming your personality and most poignantly how you and Kristin arrived at Barbara's door with arms full of flowers, breakfast and most important, love and support, the morning we learned of our father's passing almost 12 years ago.

For those who may not be aware, I was a competitive swimmer for many years. So, I know how to swim. However, I have not stepped foot in a pool in 5 years mostly due to the pandemic. I have clocked thousands of miles comfortably in a pool but have a deep fear of open-water swimming. I have forced myself to do it twice for New Year's Resolutions to overcome it to no avail. Swimming in open water is not something that comes easy for me at all. Slimy, stingy things, big fish with sharp rows of teeth that bite and scary deep, dark, cold waters. Basically, I am out of shape and terrified but I am going to do it for Susie, MD, Licha, other loved ones, and contribute to the efforts to save other's lives.  

I am endeavoring to face my fears just like my heroines who do it on a day-by-day, hour-by-hour, treatment-by-treatment basis. They have it FAR, FAR, FAR harder than me on so many levels and continue to fight. There is no comparison. If they have fought, I surely have no excuse for a swim.