Over the past several years, I have lost three people very close to me to cancer. My sister in law Kalany; a fit healthy triathlete and loving mother.  Her son, Matthew, a top level collegiate swimmer and academic all-star, and my good friend Kent Gold, a 56-year-old fit, healthy father and husband, and several others.  Several friends and family, are in the midst of the battle.  Most of us have similar stories. Cancer is an unwelcome guest in all of our lives. We must continue the efforts to stop it.

Over the past several years, (2020 doesn’t count),  many of you have supported the efforts of Team Benoit and Swim Across America, and helped us raise over $900,000.00 in funds that go directly to research at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.  We thank you all for your thoughtful support.

Saturday September 7th, I will be swimming a mile in Seattle's Lake Sammamish in solidarity with my older brother Dan and Team Benoit. Team Benoit was formed by my nephew Matt Benoit to honor the memory of his Mother Kalany, who died from lung cancer in December of 2013. Ten months after his mother died, Matthew, (27 years old at the time), was diagnosed with a soft tissue sarcoma on his pancreas and liver, a very uncommon form of Ewing’s Sarcoma. Team Benoit was formed in the winter of 2016, Matt was our team captain. Unfortunately, he is now only there in spirit, he died on April 24th 2016. For 5 years, cancer consumed my brother Dan's family.

In our lifetime, we will all be touched in one way, shape or form by cancer, it is never a gentle touch. I joined the SAA community so that, together, we can work to change that.

I am challenging myself by swimming in the Seattle Open Water Swim and raising as much money to fight cancer as I can. Please support me. The money you give will go towards cancer research, prevention and treatment and will make an impact in the fight to find a cure. Thank you for your generosity and may it lead to a cancer-free world! Please support me by sponsoring my swim and making a gift to SAA and the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance as I swim to honor the lives’ of Kalany and Matt Benoit,  my good friend Kent Gold, and in support of other close friends and family that are currently fighting the battle.

If you are able, please support me by making a gift. The researchers we are funding are in our community and are the next generation of cancer pioneers. Without Swim Across America early stage funding, they are limited in their ability to conduct early trials that can lead to breakthroughs that can save lives. Thank you for helping make an impact in the fight to find a cure!