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MAMARONECK, N.Y. Some 60 people swam 51 miles at the Orienta Beach Club on Saturday morning for Swim Across America (SAA), an organization dedicated to raising money for cancer research.
Set up by the Long Island Sound Chapter of SAA, the event observed its 20th year as swimmers young and old lined up sponsors.
I say observe and not celebrate because we don't have a cure for cancer yet, said volunteer Jim Smith, who has been with SAA since 1998. There is so much energy, magic and joy here.
Organizer Susan Eggers said she was flattered when the group asked her to lead the event this year. Having volunteered before at similar events, Eggers said it didn't take any convincing for participants to get in the pool and start swimming, even early on a Saturday morning.
They do it because they love it and want to help, she said. We are very grateful to the Orienta Beach Club for donating their facilities and we want to thank all the local merchants who helped.
For Smith, cancer is all too real. His wife died of breast cancer several years ago. He said the swim is about the people the organization serves who are battling this deadly disease.
Cancer is real and it doesnt seem to be going away, Smith said. We have to keep fighting it.
Swim Across America will take over the Long Island Sound at 6 a.m. Saturday, July 28, at the Larchmont Yacht Club. For more information, click here.
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