Swimming Across America Again!
Dear Friends and Family,
As you know, I continue to love and embrace my island home of Nantucket. I have been working at the Nantucket Cottage Hospital for the last 3.5 years and have been in Outpatient Infusion and Oncology for the last 3 summers and am now nationally certified as an Oncology Nurse (OCN). This year, Gretchen took on the task of captaining this awesome event as the Duncallisters had so much going on with 2 graduations, new schools, new lives, a 25 year wedding anniversary, and my continued studies to become a Family Nurse Practitioner. Although I have not been able to commit the time I would like to this event, I remain passionate about what Swim Across America brings to cancer care here on Nantucket and am so proud to be a part of bringing the highest quality cancer care to the people of Nantucket. Our new infusion center at the new hospital is the Swim Across America Infusion Center, for those of you who haven't seen it yet.
Proceeds from this annual event directly support the Nantucket Cottage Hospital (NCH) and the Palliative and Supportive Care of Nantucket (PASCON). The funds raised bring world-class oncologists to the island, allowing our patients to receive treatments close to home, family, and support network. The program continues to grow and provide chemotherapy and cancer care to both year round and seasonal residents. Travelling on and off island can be exhausting even for those who are healthy, I cannot imagine having to do it weekly, biweekly, or even monthly for life-saving or life prolonging chemotherapy. This is where SAA has been able to impact the quality of patient care and the outcome of treatment for so many people living with cancer on Nantucket.
As many of you know, cancer has taken many of our beloved family and friends through the years, including my mother (Claire), father(Larry), Duncan's step-mom (Sue), and aunt (Pat). My husband Duncan, who does not do Facebook, has particpated in the SAA Nantucket event for the last 4 years and joined the Board of Directors of PASCON this year in our continued efforts to fight for and support those with cancer.
I'm a little late to the party, but please consider making donation for my swim on August 24th and a difference in the life of my neighbors, friends, and fellow islanders. Although several of my patients have succombed to advanced cancer diagnoses, they were grateful to be able to recieve care here at home. This would not be possible without the support that SAA provides to NCH and PASCON.
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.Checks should be made out to Swim Across America but please include a note mentioning my name as the swimmer you are supporting!
Thank you again for all your support! It is truly appreciated.
All the best,
Joanie
