Hi! I'm Emma Grace, a 12th grader in Tampa. This will be my seventh time swimming with Swim Across America.  I'm very impressed with the SAA events and all the dedication of the swimmers, volunteers, doctors, and donators to WIPEOUT cancer!

My fundraising experience for Swim Across America has been personally rewarding and educational. I am challenging myself by swimming 2 miles in the Tampa Bay Open Water Swim and raising as much money to fight cancer as I can. I was lucky enough to be selected to serve on the Junior Advisory Board of the Tampa Bay sector of Swim Across America, and have held an officer position for the past three years!

I swim in MEMORY of my Gammy, my Aunt Barb, my classmate Nick, Mr. Rick, and other grandparents, family, and neighbors I never really got to know. I swim in HONOR of my Mrs. Vivine, neighbor Mr. Jim, my friend's dad Mr. Mike, my friend's mom Ms. Christine, my dad's friends Mr. Randy, my friend's brother Jacob, and Grandma Marilyn! 

This year, my goal is to raise $2022 for cancer research!

This year is really special to me for a couple of reasons: this will be my last swim before I leave for college and this is the year that the class of 2022 graduates. As myself and many of my friends walk across the stage in late May, we will be thinking about our elementary classmate Nick. I am dedicating this year to him.

Proceeds from the swim will support the Swim Across America Lab focusing on immunotherapy clinical trials and cancer research as well as the Adolescent & Young Adult Program addressing the unique concerns of young adults with cancer at Moffitt Cancer Center and pediatric cancer research at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital.

In our lifetime, 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will be diagnosed with cancer. I joined the SAA community so that, together, we can change that. In 6 years, My swim team, Tampa Elite Aquatics has raised almost $250,000 for Moffitt Cancer Center with help from 200+ Tampa Elite Aquatics swimmers, parents, siblings and friends. Please help us to reach our goal of $50,000, by joining in the swim, volunteering, or donating. Please support me by sponsoring my swim and making a gift. The money you give will go towards cancer research, prevention and treatment and will make an impact in the fight to find a cure.  Thank you for your generosity and may it lead to a cancer-free world!

You can make a credit card donation here or send a check to Swim Across America, PO Box 65, Lutz, FL 33548.