2022 marks my 12th season with Swim Across America and my 4th year supporting SAA Chicago. Why swim Chicago when Lake Michigan is not my "home pool"? 

SAA Chicago's beneficiary, Rush University Medical Center uses their SAA grants to support lung cancer research (along with other types of cancer). Team Loretta's Gills was founded in memory of my Mom who passed from lung cancer. Treatment for lung cancer has significantly improved since my Mom was diagnosed seven years ago, but we still have work to do.

I started this SAA season dedicating my swim in support of a beloved family member being treated for lung cancer. Sadly, she passed and the swim intended to support her through treatment and on to survivorship will now be a celebration of her life. In July, the Gills will dive in and make waves in 1.5 miles of glorious Pacific water along the beach she loved, swimming from "dog beach" to the iconic Hotel del Coronado. My daughter and I will also be pulling and kicking every stroke of the way with love, support and encouragement for a dear friend's sister who was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. 

Why. I Swim. To honor. To support. To give others hope. To help cancer patients on their journey to become cancer survivors. To raise money to fund the research and clinical trials desperately needed to advance the standard of care for cancer therapies, especially lung cancer.

No amount is too small to help researchers get new treatment options to the patients whose lives depend on them.

You can make a credit card donation by clicking on my personal page's DONATE NOW link to the right, or by sending a check to: Swim Across America - Chicago, PO Box 223 Riverside, IL 60546. Please include a note mentioning my name or the team you are supporting.)

Thank you for your generous support and encouragement.
Together we are Making Waves to Fight Cancer!