My older brother Jervais passed away early in 2021 from the long term health complications of the treatments for a childhood brain tumor.  He lived a difficult life, but he touched a lot of people with his bigger than life personality.

In the summer of 2021, I was introduced to Swim Across America.  It was as though the universe knew I needed a way to remember Jervais and do something to help others in his name.  For the past two years, Swim Across America has allowed me to use my love of swimming to help raise money to fund research into treatments for childhood cancers at the Children's Hospital of Denver.  The first year, I swam one mile in Chatfield Reservoir outside of Denver.  Year two, I was signed up to swim two miles in Chatfield but due to water conditions, I ended up swimming two miles "open water" style in a long course pool!  It was quite the experience!

This year, I'm upping the ante.  I'm participating in Swim Across America My Way, which allows participants to choose any challenge to participate in individually while raising money for the Swim Across America event of their choice.  So my fundraising money will still go to the Childrens Hospital of Denver, but rather than travelling to Denver to swim at Chatfield, I will be completing a 5k swim in Whitefish Lake.  This will be the longest open water swim I have ever attempted!  I'm very excited to use this personal challenge to inspire donations to this charity!

I have been so impressed the past two years how the people in my life have come through with donations for a cause so near and dear to me.  I'm looking forward to seeing what we can all do this year with our collective fundraising efforts!  Any little (or big) amount that you are able to give is equally appreciated.  I'm so grateful for the support of some of the most amazing people on the planet!