CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU SWIMMERS, TEAMS AND DONORS FOR AN AMAZING EVENT!
On a warm Saturday morning, with water like glass, 200 swimmers gathered together with family and friends to swim for a cause. At Ohio Street Beach on Saturday, July 17, 2010, the first wave of swimmers took to the water at 8am. With four distances to choose from: 3 miles, 1 ½ miles, 1 mile and ½ mile, Olympians, masters swimmers and recreational swimmers alike picked a distance they enjoyed to swim. All swimming for a worthwhile cause – raising funds for cancer research at the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center. In its 17th year, Swim across America-Chicago raised over $143,000 this year, bringing the total money raised to $1,000,000 for the CBCC.
Swim Across America - Chicago is a non-competitive, open water swim in Lake Michigan. Even though the swim is non-competitive, the fundraising is very competitive. Top fundraisers are given awards with 4 time cancer survivor Phil Dodson receiving the top award. Phil raised
Over $13,000.00. Twenty year old Caitlin Garvey raised close to $9,000.00 in honor of her mother, Denise Garvey, who had been a patient at the CBCC and lost her battle with breast cancer in 2008. Third place fundraiser is Tom Kennedy, raising $6,500.00. Tom’s family brought SAA to Chicago 17 years ago and developed the partnership with the CBCC.
(From left to right, Top fundraisers Caitlin Garvey, Tom Kennedy, and Phil Dodson)
Eighteen Tribute Teams participated in the swim. Be sure to check out their team pages. The teams are listed in order funds raised: Team Life; Team Kennedy; ibertyville Masters; Team Anne, Mike and Friends; Team Denise; Loyola/Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center; Stritch School of Medicine; Swim Chicks; Chicago Masters; Oz; Merc-y Waters; Team Duck Lake; Wii Not Fit; WCBB; Swimmin Women; Cavotos; Lyons Swim Club; and the Wickerites.
Swimmers were greeted at the beach by Olympians Craig Oppel, David Sims, Steve Gregg and Janel Jorgensen, National Executive Director of SAA and a 1988 Olympic Silver Medalist. Barry Schatz and Dr. Patrick Stiff from the CBCC congratulated the swimmers at the post-swim picnic and awards ceremony.
Swim Across America raises money and awareness for cancer research, prevention and treatment. All funds raised through our event here in Chicago are donated to the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center (CBCC) at Loyola University Medical Center. This year marks our 17th anniversary and to date, we have raised close to one million dollars for the CBCC!
Sally Truckenbrodt's Swim Story Learn more about Chicago Committee Member Sally Truckenbrodt and why she swims.
We are truly Making Waves to Fight Cancer!