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Press Releases
| Swim Across America to Hold Inaugural Fundraising Swim to Raise Money for Women & Infants |
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06/08/10
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Swim Across America - the national non-profit organization dedicated to raising money and awareness for cancer research, prevention and treatment through swimming-related events - will hold its first open water swim in Rhode Island on Saturday, September 11 at 9 AM.
Swimming enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels are invited to join national and local Olympic swimmers at the event, being held at Roger Wheeler State Beach. The ½ - or 1-mile swim in Narragansett Bay will raise money for Women & Infants’ Program in Women’s Oncology through pledges collected by swimmers, online donations and sponsorships. The event is open to individual swimmers or teams. Swimmers pledge to raise $300 in donations each to enter.
swimacrossamerica.org/RI
“We are thrilled to partner with Swim Across America on this innovative fundraising event,” said Karen A. Davie, senior vice president philanthropy and governance at Women & Infants. “We all know someone with cancer, and this enables individual swimmers and teams to participate in honor or memory of a loved one with cancer. In the long run, they will be helping many more women diagnosed with this disease through the Program in Women’s Oncology, the largest oncology service dedicated to women in the Northeast.”
“It is certainly a personal challenge to get into the ocean and participate in this event,” added Roger Begin, chairman of the Women & Infants Development Foundation. “But that is really nothing compared to the challenge cancer patients face each day they are in treatment. Knowing that should inspire people to sign up and help.”
Swim Across America Inc. is a non-profit organization established more than 20 years ago with the mission of raising money for cancer research, prevention and treatment. To date, more than $30 million has been raised through swims held throughout the country, including Boston, Baltimore, Nashville, New York, San Francisco, Seattle and Chicago. The organization chose Rhode Island for one of its 2010 inaugural events.
After swimmers jump in and complete the swim, they will be welcomed back to the shore by cheering family and friends. The event ends with a closing ceremony with an inspirational guest speaker and an awards ceremony in which Swim Across America will honor some of the top fundraisers and teams.
"Swim Across America is incredibly excited to be coming to Rhode Island this year,” said Janel Jorgensen, a 1988 Olympic silver medalist and the organization’s national executive director. “Rhode Island athletes are a strong community and our greatest hope is that through our swim, we can inspire people to act and join our Swim Across America community. This event brings us one step closer to finding a cure for cancer and that is what motivates us."
For more information or to register for the Swim Across America – Rhode Island event, go to www.swimacrossamerica.org/RI. For more information about the Program in Women’s Oncology at Women & Infants, visit www.womenandinfants.org. |
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