Hi everyone,

I registered for my eighth Swim Across America in San Francisco this year.  Thanks to the generous support of so many people, I've been able to raise more than $50,000 for UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital in those eight years. 

Dr. Goldsby continues to offer incredible patient and post-treatment care to those affected by pediatric cancer, and Dr. Saba continues her critical work to find cures for cancer through gene therapy research.

During the first year of COVID, the in-person Swim Across America event was cancelled and participants were encouraged to create their own personal event to support their fundraising.  I chose to attempt to swim the width of Lake Tahoe, which cemented my love for open water swimming.

Thankfully the in-person event has resumed and I can’t wait to again swim in the San Francisco Bay on September 30, 2023 with so many people committed to raising funds to fight this terrible disease.

I've also continued to set a goal to accomplish a marathon swim every year, to help support my fundraising efforts.  Last year I trained to attempt the Molokai Channel in HI but unfortunately was not able to attempt it due to various logistical issues, including the weather not presenting any opportunities.  I've kept up my training with the hope that I would have another chance to attempt Molokai.  Last week, we got a call that a narrow weather window was open for an attempt.  My amazing crew rallied around me and I set out at 5:30pm HST on January 18th to attempt the swim. 

I dedicated the swim to Sam, who sadly passed away from Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) in December after bravely battling this cancer for almost a year.  The grace and grit with which Sam and his family battled this awful disease inspired me and many others, and reinforced my commitment to try to make a difference in the fight against cancer.

I'm incredibly proud to say that I completed the Molokai Channel on January 19th, with help from Sam and the many other kids diagnosed with cancer.  If kids like Sam can battle cancer, I can put my head down and swim.  So many thanks to Sam and his family for being such an incredible inspiration to me and so many others!

I am excited to continue swimming with Team Susan Survives, the San Francisco team that I've swum with in the past, under Susan Helmrich, my friend, high school swim coach, and 3-time cancer survivor.

I am also continuing the tradition of writing the names of folks who have fought cancer on my swim cap for the event.  Please let me know any name you would like me to add to the cap.  They are my inspiration!

I appreciate anything you can do to support me in this fundraising effort.  You can make a credit card donation at https://www.swimacrossamerica.org/site/SPageNavigator/SAA_Donate.html (just select me as a swimmer).  Or you can send a check to Swim Across America PO Box 475842 San Francisco, CA 94147. Checks should be made out to Swim Across America but please include a note with my name as the swimmer you are supporting.  

Thank you for your generosity and may it lead to a cancer-free world!

Aloha,

Maya