$1.8 M Raised at 32nd Annual Swim Across America - Long Island Sound

The 32nd annual Swim Across America - Long Island Sound open water swim and pool swim, held on Saturday, July 27, was a resounding success, with more than 800 swimmers and volunteers coming together to make waves in the fight against cancer and raising more than $1.8 million for the swim’s local beneficiaries Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Columbia University Medical Center, Cancer Support Team and Weill Cornell Medicine.

This year’s swim included a 10k swim across Long Island Sound, as well as 5K and 2K point-to-point swims from the Larchmont Yacht Club to the Larchmont Shore Club, and a half-mile pool swim held simultaneously at the Larchmont Shore Club, where all of the swimmers finished their swim. Eight additional pool swims also contributed to the amazing $1.8 million raised to date.

“We are so proud of the incredible work by all of our swimmers and volunteers at this year’s Swim Across America - Long Island Sound open water swim,” noted Jean Fufidio, event director for the swim. “We are very heartened that in 32 years, we have raised more than $27 million for our local beneficiaries who are making a difference in treating cancer. The funds we raise go directly into supporting pivotal cancer trials and treatment protocols that save lives. We are also very proud that 20% of the money we raise goes directly to support pediatric cancer research, one of the most underfunded areas of cancer research in the nation. It is truly an honor to support our amazing New York area institutions and make waves to fight cancer.”

Top fundraising teams included Team Gina, which raised $120,035 in honor of 32-year-old Gina Mannix Wente, who grew up in Larchmont, New York, and was a long-time Swim Across America - Long Island Sound participant, who sadly passed away on February 26, 2024, after a brief battle with breast cancer and just three weeks after giving birth to her second child. Team Gina was captained by Christine Mannix and Richard Mannix, Gina’s siblings. Team John, captained by Josh Glantz and Joseph Kaufman, raised the second highest for a team with $106,860, and was in honor of longtime Swim Across America 10k swimmer John Needham, who sadly lost his battle with cancer of June 1, 2023, just shy of his 70th birthday. The Next Level Private team, captained by Barry Mitchell, was the third highest fundraising team with $90,435 raised and swam in memory of Kathy Webers, who was the inspiration for bringing the Swim Across America event to Westchester County 32 years ago, and friend Pat Moore. Team Next Level Private has the goal of supporting Swim Across America and taking their fundraising “to the next level.” Team Irwin, captained by Timothy Irwin, raised $73,293 in memory of Suzie Irwin, who lost her brave battle to Glioblastoma in August 2022, as well as in honor of Colm Kelly, who lost his courageous battle with mouth cancer in January 2024. Team Clare was also another top-fundraising team raising $71,467 and led by Mark McCooey, who swam in memory of Clare Reynolds Joyce, who passed away 19 years ago, at the age of only 41, after a courageous battle with cancer. Cancer not only took her life, but took the Mom of four little children, the oldest of whom was just seven years old, and the youngest, just three years old. Team Clare was formed in memory of Clare and for the sole purpose of ridding the world of cancer and allowing little boys and girls to grow up with their Moms. Mark McCooey was also the number one individual fundraiser, bringing in $53,772 himself, followed by Joseph Kaufman with $36,457.

“This year, our Swim Across America - Long Island Sound also had a special ‘Kids for Kids’ program that encouraged even our youngest swimmers to dive into pool swims throughout Westchester County and make waves to fight cancer through swimming,” said Jean Fufidio. “With eight Westchester County swim clubs participating, there has been an opportunity for all ages to make waves to fight cancer.”

Swim Across America is a national organization and offers open water and pool swims in 24 communities, from Boston to under the Golden Gate Bridge, but its roots are firmly anchored along the shores of Long Island Sound. Nationally, Swim Across America has raised more than $100 million in the fight against cancer. More than 150 Olympians support Swim Across America, including Kate Douglass (Pelham, New York resident), Michael Phelps, Craig Beardsley, Elizabeth Beisel, Missy Franklin, Ryan Held, Gretchen Walsh, Donna de Varona, Rowdy Gaines, Janel Jorgensen McArdle, Bobby Hackett, Ryan Lochte, Glenn Mills, Cristina Teuscher and many more.

Swim Across America’s funding of clinical trials on a national level - and specifically with the funds raised by the Long Island Sound swim - has helped contribute to four FDA approved life-saving immunotherapy cancer treatments: Yervoy, Opdivo, Tecentriq and Keytruda. Recently, the very exciting news about a clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering was published in The New England Journal of Medicine that showed a 100 percent success rate in treating patients in a phase 2 clinical trial for advanced rectal cancer with dostarlimab, an immunotherapy treatment. The clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering was funded by early-stage grant funding from Swim Across America - Long Island Sound.

To learn more about Swim Across America Long Island Sound or to donate, visit swimacrossamerica.org/longislandsound.

Swim Across America, Inc. (SAA) is dedicated to raising money and awareness for cancer research, prevention and treatment through swimming-related events. With the help of hundreds of volunteers nationwide and past and current Olympians, Swim Across America is helping find a cure for cancer through athleticism, community outreach and direct service. To learn more visit swimacrossamerica.org or follow on Facebook, X or Instagram @saaswim.