My son Evan and I are participating in the Swim for Melissa as part of the Swim Across America fundraising program for cancer research, prevention and treatment.

A couple of years ago, Melissa Callaghan Rice lost her battle with cancer. Melissa was the head coach of the Natick Stingrays, a local swim team based at Longfellow Sports Club, the gym where I have been a longtime member. In my triathlon heyday, I spent many evenings swimming (slowly) in the one open lane in the pool while the swim team members swam (much faster) in the other five lanes. I was always impressed by how hard the swimmers worked, how well the coaches instructed and supported their athletes, and especially how polite and welcoming everyone was to me when I came in for my long (slow) workouts. Occasionally there was even a “Hi Mr. Simon” from a former student or soccer player or mine who was on the Stingrays. As a person who had to grind out yardage, it was fun and encouraging to be swimming “swim team adjacent.” That is the type of culture Melissa helped build at Longfellow. For me, participating in this event honors her and that culture.​

I plan to once again become swim team adjacent and swim 1500 yards (slowly) in recognition of the 50 Americans who are diagnosed with cancer every 15 minutes. Please donate to this event to support the fight against cancer.

You can make a credit card donation here, or send a check, made out to Swim Across America, to Jonathan Simon, 30 Evergreen Road, Natick, MA 01760.

Again, checks should be made out to Swim Across America, but please include a note mentioning my name (or Evan's if you prefer) as the swimmer you are supporting!

Thank you for your support!

Jonathan