Open Water Swim Raises More Than $250,000 for Women & Infants Hospital
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Almost 200 swimmers of all ages and skill levels participated in the inaugural Swim Across America fund-raising swim at Roger Wheeler State Beach on Saturday, September 11, raising more than $250,000 for cancer research being conducted at Women & Infants Hospital’s Program in Women’s Oncology.
Overwhelming Outpouring
Among them were two Rhode Island-based novices, each swimming to honor the lives of those they love. The swim – which included a ½ mile and one-mile loop in the ocean – is the first time Swim Across America, a national non-profit organization dedicated to raising money and awareness for cancer research, prevention and treatment, has come to Rhode Island. “This is one of the largest amounts raised in a first-year swim in our organization’s history,” said Janel Jorgenson, a 1988 Olympic swimmer and executive director of Swim Across America. “What a tremendous success!”
Olympians Suuport the Cause
Olympic three-time gold medalist Rowdy Gaines was on hand for the event, joined by fellow Olympians Craig Beardsley, who was a member of the 1980 team, and Clara Walker, 85, a Rhode Island resident and swimmer in the 1948 Olympics.
Related Articles
- Swimmers to Take on Bay Swim to Beat Cancer
- Running in Heels on Wednesday
- Five Outdoor Workouts
- National Women’s Health Week: Making Women’s Health a Priority
- Women & Infants Hospital welcomes Neonatologist
