While cancer runs in my family and we've personally experienced the progress that has been made in detection and treatment over the last several decades, I don't think it prepared me for the importance of research until we learned that my beloved husband has a rare form of prostate cancer that is usually fatal within a few months of detection. Because we were able to identify the two research programs (Dana Farber in Boston and UCSF) that focus on Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer (NEPC), our wonderful oncology team at Stanford could collaborate with them and devise a course of treatment that is keeping him active, healthy and the disease under control. ​We are hopeful that if the current immunotherapy drug stops working that more options will be available because of their collective work.

This gives me a different perspective and when our Coach Becky's son Parker was diagnosed with leukemia, it reinforced for me how important the mission of Swim Across America is to families like ours.

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 pioneers in oncology and cancer-support care. 

If you are able, please support me by making a donation to help me reach my fundraising goal. Thank you for helping me #MakeWavesToFightCancer.