On July 18, 2009, I will be participating in the Nantasket Beach Swim. I am thrilled to be utilizing my passion for the sport of swimming to support such an extraordinary cause. I am focused on raising awareness for SAA and its mission to support Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

As most of you know, this spring my mother was diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia. Although it is highly treatable, like all cancers it is not yet curable. This has become a huge burden on her and our entire family, but we all still have hope-she's a fighter. This year I couldn't think of a better reason to fight back. It is your support that gives my family the hope that she may someday be completely cancer free.

I am looking forward to the swim as a day of thanks for those who have beaten the disease, a day of honoring teamwork as a example of strength, a day to show CML that it can be overcome, and a day to honor the larger mission of Swim Across America.

I thank you for your support and ask you to be as generous as you can. Together, we can all make a difference.