Swim Across America - Long Island Sound is one of the nation’s largest open water swims and has raised more than $25 million for New York Area Cancer Institutions

Swim Across America - Long Island Sound is holding its 32nd annual open water swim on Saturday, July 27, 2024, with more than 800 swimmers and volunteers all making waves to fight cancer. The swim offers four swim distances: a 10k across Long Island Sound, a 5k and 2k point-to-point swim that dives in at the Larchmont Yacht Club and ends at the Larchmont Shore Club, and a ½-mile pool swim at the Larchmont Shore Club. Also available are an additional seven pool swims at swim clubs in Westchester County during the months of July and August. Proceeds from Swim Across America - Long Island Sound support cancer research at the swim’s local New York area beneficiaries Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Columbia University Medical Center, Cancer Support Team and Weill Cornell Medicine. Swimmers, land and water volunteers (boaters, kayakers, paddle boarders) can register for the July 27th swim at swimacrossamerica.org/longislandsound.

“Swim Across America - Long Island Sound is Swim Across America’s largest open water swims in the country,” noted Jean Fufidio, event director for the swim. “We are very proud that in 32 years, we have raised more than $25 million for our local beneficiaries Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Columbia University Medical Center, Cancer Support Team and Weill Cornell Medicine. In fact, Swim Across America - Long Island Sound has raised 25% of Swim Across America’s total $100 million for crucial cancer research and the funds we have raised have gone directly into supporting pivotal cancer trials and treatment protocols that save lives. The money raised local also stays local and that is a huge benefit for our New York area beneficiaries. To be able to support our amazing New York area institutions - the best in the nation in cancer care - is truly an honor.”

Why does Swim Across America - Long Island Sound swim to raise money in the fight against cancer? Cancer sadly touches everyone — whether it is a loved one or a friend, everyone knows someone who has been impacted by cancer. In 2024, For the first time ever, the United States is expected to surpass more than 2 million new cases of cancer and 611,720 cancer deaths. These staggering statistics offer compelling proof of the need to continue devising new approaches to treatment. In fact, there are more than 18 million Americans with a history of invasive cancer who are alive today, who were diagnosed many years ago or now have no current evidence of the disease, thanks to new treatments. Whether it is through swimming, volunteering, donating or cheering on loved ones and friends, Swim Across America - Long Island Sound welcomes anyone and everyone who wants to be a part of the fight against cancer. 

“We are also very proud that our Swim Across America - Long Island Sound swim and the surrounding pool swims have a focus on supporting pediatric cancer,” said Fufidio. “Only 4% of National Cancer Institute funding nationally goes to pediatric cancers and it is an area that needs support for further treatments and innovation. This year, our Swim Across America - Long Island Sound has a special ‘Kids for Kids’ program that encourages our youngest swimmers to dive into pool swims throughout Westchester County and make waves to fight cancer through swimming. With seven participating Westchester County swim clubs participating, there is 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 Harbor 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 (who was inducted into the International Swimmer’s Hall of Fame in 2022), Donna de Varona, Rowdy Gaines, Janel Jorgensen McArdle, Bobby Hackett, Ryan Lochte, Glenn Mills, Cristina Teuscher, Missy Franklin, 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 register to swim, volunteer or donate, visit swimacrossamerica.org/longislandsound.

About Swim Across America

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 or email Jean Fufidio at [email protected]