In 2022 Nantucket SAA has a special 10 year anniversary.  I have lost too many friends and relatives to cancer to remain complacent.  In the 60's I was fortunate to have Donald Coughlin of Mahwah New Jersey as my coach and mentor.  He worked at the Ridgewood YMCA and White Beeches Country Club cultivating, motivating, and helping all his swimmers to reach their full potential.  "Winners never quit and quitters never win" was his mantra so we worked hard swam fast and learned countless life lessons that helped us become better adults.  In his VW beetle he drove my best friend and i all over New Jersey so we could compete at a higher level and swim year round on some of the best junior teams in the state.  We was a remarkable coach and we loved him and loved swimming.  Today at 72 I still enjoy this wonderful sport and it is an honor to swim in his memory for such a worthy cause.  Cancer is a relentless foe but over the years the community of Nantucket led by Jim and Jill have raised money and spirits to combat this awful disease.  So this year I am pledging one thousand dollars of my own money to be a wave maker and will do the mile swim.  I challenge all my past supports and new friends to match this by raising another thousand before the event in July.  Join in: volunteer, get in the ocean, or just donate.  The dollars stay on island supporting families and research until cancer knows it has met its match.  Thanks in advance for the funds and support.  I know Coach Don would smile to see his former swimmer going lap for lap and stroke for stroke.  Coach Don I thank you.