The Swim Across America program is in its 26th year of existence, and in that time they have raised nearly $40 million for cancer research.
The latest stop of the series took place this past week, as a group of volunteers swam a 22-mile back-and-forth between Rowes Wharf and the Boston Light House in Boston Harbor.
As is customary, the event was led off by a group of Olympians, including 5-time SAA Boston swimmer Brooke Bennett, who won three Olympic gold medals in 1996 and 2000. This year, she was joined by Boston rookies Kristy Kowal, a 2000 Olympic silver medalist, Heather Petri, 4-time United States water polo Olympian, and event coordinator Kitty Tetreault.
This event was not just about a one-day swim and fundraiser, though that is the primary focus. on Thursday, the Olympians, a group of swimmers, and event volunteers spent the morning at Massachusetts General Hospital learning more about the research that their efforts would support financially, and meeting with doctors, nurses, and researchers to learn more about what is being done.
Finally, on Saturday, the mass event had a half-mile and mile-long swims along Nantasket Beach that in total raised $100,000 for cancer research in a single morning: quite an impressive feat.
With the addition of an event in Atlanta this year, there are now 17 Swim Across America events across 14 major American cities.
To get involved with SAA please visit swimacrossamerica.org
A fire boat that accompanied swimmers on their 22-mile relay in Boston Harbor
Olympians take the ceremonial first plunge into Boston Harbor before beginning their swim.
