Swim Across America to make Waves in the Fight Against Cancer

Join Swim Across America this summer and make a splash for pediatric cancer survivorship programs at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Swimmers from Medfield are encouraged to particpate in the the 17th annual Boston Harbor 22-mile relay swim is on Friday, July 15, and the 15th annual DCR Nantasket Beach one-mile and half-mile swims are on Saturday, July 16. Registration is now open for teams and individuals.

“The swims are a great way for people to come together and participate in a sport they love alongside Olympic swimming legends while raising critical funds for the David. B. Perini, Jr. Quality of Life Clinic at Dana-Farber,” says 1988 Olympic Silver Medalist Janel Jorgensen, who is also the executive director of the organization.

The Boston Harbor swim is an all-day event beginning at 7 a.m. from Rowes Wharf behind the Boston Harbor Hotel. A minimum fund-raising pledge of $1,500 is required for individuals to participate. Teams of five or more must raise a minimum of $1,000 per swimmer. The minimum age for participation is 18.

Participants are assigned between two boats and will swim in a 15 minute session (heat) approximately four to six times throughout the day. Swimmers will be assigned to a heat with swimmers of similar ability.  Breakfast, lunch, snacks and beverages are provided.

The one-mile competitive ocean swim at DCR Nantasket Beach in Hull, Mass., starts at 9 a.m. from the Mary Jeannette Murray Bathhouse. Half-mile swimmers run into the water at 9:15 a.m. All participants must raise a minimum of $250 each. The minimum age for participation is 12.

Wet suits are mandatory for both days.

Swim Across America is a non-profit corporation that runs events from Boston to San Francisco to support cancer research at the country’s finest hospitals and institutions.  Proceeds from the Boston-area swims go directly to the David B. Perini, Jr. Quality of Life Clinic at Dana-Farber, where experts help pediatric cancer survivors with an array of issues, including long-term effects of treatment, social and psychological concerns and the risk of second cancers.

Every stroke makes a difference in the fight against cancer. For more information, email Kitty Tetreault at kitty@swimacrossamerica.org or visit www.swimacrossamerica.org.

Plan on participating in the race? E-mail Jeremie.Smith@patch.com.