Welcome to My Personal Page
Hello and welcome to my fundraising page!
On the weekend of July 22 I will be swimming 4 miles along Nantucket's north shore to raise $4,000 for Swim Across America Nantucket which provides funds for cancer and palliative care to island residents and visitors.
I have participated in SAA almost every year since it has been held on the island. This year in I felt particularly drawn to the challenge of the 4 mile swim in honor of the four year anniversary of my friend Britt's passing. My father Steve McCluskey passed away in April of 2022 and although he did not suffer a cancer diagnosis, the services provided by Palliative and Supportive Care of Nantucket (PASCON) were available to me during that equally difficult time.
One of my oldest and dearest friends, Britt LeBaron-Brien passed away on June 22, 2019 from a very rare cancer called cic-dux sarcoma. Britt moved to Nantucket when we were in 1st grade from Vermont and grew up here until sophomore year of highschool. Her family maintained their close ties to the island after they moved back to Vermont with keeping their Tom Nevers home here and spending many weeks in the summer enjoying the island. Britt's cancer was aggressive and would not back down, but Britt wouldn't either. Throughout her year and a half treatment at Mass General she was put through all types of procedures, tests, and surgeries with a rapidly changing prognosis. Britt and her family had plans to come out to Nantucket for Memorial Day weekend between a set of her radiation treatments. Part of Britt's treatment at that time was receiving an IV drip of fluids for 2 hours a day to help combat her dehydration side effects. Because of the Swim Across America Infusion Center at the Nantucket Cottage Hospital, Britt was able to come to Nantucket for that long weekend and still receive the care she needed. That was Britt's last visit to Nantucket before she died. Thanks to the funds donated to Swim Across America/Nantucket over the years, Britt, and patients and families just like her, are able to spend more time on this special island.
With every dollar raised from our Swim, we are changing the game of cancer care on Nantucket and we should all be proud of that. Proceeds directly support the Nantucket Cottage Hospital (NCH) and the Palliative and Supportive Care of Nantucket (PASCON) oncology efforts to fund vital services for local and visiting cancer patients, minimizing their need to travel for appointments, testing and treatment. Our support allows NCH oncology programs to keep more Nantucket residents on-island for their cancer care, providing them a compassionate and caring environment. We help bring world-class oncologists to the island, allowing our patients to receive treatments at home. Through PASCON, our patients and families receive important physical, emotional and spiritual care free of charge.
Please support me by sponsoring my swim and making a gift. The money you give will go towards cancer care on Nantucket. Thank you for your generosity and may it lead to a cancer-free world!
You can make a credit card donation by clicking on "DONATE" or send a check to Swim Across America - Nantucket, PO Box 3271, Nantucket, MA 02584
Check should be made out to Swim Across America but please include a note mentioning my name as the swimmer you are supporting!
