As the Co-Event Director of the Swim, it's success means a lot to me. I'm here to ensure everyone has a safe, successful event but like most people who get involved with SAA, I have a personal connection.

My mother is a 20+ year breast cancer survivor and I'm very grateful for that! In 2013, I lost my father to his 5-year battle with colon cancer. For those who didn't know my dad, or as everyone on island calls him, Mr. P, he was that teacher you had growing up that everyone knew and loved. He taught in the Nantucket Public Schools systems from 1967 through 2001. He taught many generations of Nantucketers, including myself, my mother and my brother. During his battle, he utilized the services through the Nantucket Cottage Hospital, receiving Chemo treatments here instead of on the Cape. Towards the end, the team at PASCON was extremely helpful in that very difficult time.

The reason I share this with you now is because this event is more than a swim, it's about strengthening the place we call home, whether that home is year-round or if it's your home away from home. If you have that personal story, I invite you to share it with your donors and potential donors. If you are lucky enough to not have that type of story, please help us strengthen OUR island.

Personalize those pages - send those emails - post on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram - pick up the phone and make a call.

We want to fully fund the Oncology Program at NCH and we can't do it if we don't exceed our goal.  We are changing the game of cancer care on Nantucket and we should all be proud of that. With the Nantucket Cottage Hospital's Oncology Program, we are providing funding to allow world-class doctors from Mass General to travel to Nantucket to see our patients. This reduces the need for our loved ones to travel during a time were energy should be spent on healing. PASCON's Survivorship Program works with not just the patient but with the family coping with this disease.

Thanks!

Jim

We won’t stop fighting until there is a cure.