7th Annual Swim Across America Greenwich-Stamford Open Water Swim on June 22

It's one of the best times of year: school is coming to a close, the weather is finally getting nice, and the annual Swim Across America Greenwich-Stamford Open Water Swim takes place on the shores between Stamford and Old Greenwich.  This year's Swim will be held on Saturday, June 22, 2013.  

Swimmers from throughout the tri-state area, and even some from as far away as Arizona and California, travel to Connecticut for this inspiring event.  This is the seventh year the swim has been held in Greenwich-Stamford and benefits the Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy (ACGT), the nation’s only non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to funding cancer cell and gene therapy research. ACGT is headquartered on the Greenwich/Stamford border and serves as the start and finish line for the Swim.

There's swill time to sign-up for the swim too - even if you don't swim, you can be a land volunteer, kayaker or boater.  All are welcome.  Swimmers, boaters, kayakers and land volunteers are encouraged to pre-register at www.swimacrossamerica.org/greenwich to reserve their spot or register a team.  There are several different swim options including a half-mile or a 1.5 mile swim, or a three or five-mile challenge. For those that prefer the comfort of a pool or have a conflict with the date, you can still raise money by becoming a “Virtual Swimmer” and swim any distance at your own convenience.

Swim Across America has been making waves in the fight against cancer for 26 years.  While Swim Across America is a national organization, and hosts dozens of swims from Boston Harbor to under the Golden Gate Bridge, its roots are firmly anchored in Connecticut and along the Long Island Sound shore. Darien, Conn., resident Matt Vossler, and his lifelong friend and college roommate Jeff Keith founded the organization in 1987.  And, Janel Jorgensen McArdle, president of Swim Across America, and 1988 Olympic silver medalist and Pan American gold medalist, grew up in Ridgefield, Conn., and spent her summers swimming in Long Island Sound.

Locally, the Greenwich-Stamford Swims have raised a total of $1.4 million for the Connecticut beneficiary, the Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy (ACGT).  Nationally, Swim Across America has raised more than $45 million for cancer research, prevention and treatment.   Special thanks to the Greenwich-Stamford Swim Across America co-chairs John and Cindy Sites, Donna deVarona, John Pinto, Arlene and Reuben Mark, and Mary Henry and Howard Rubin.

Special thanks also goes to the local Greenwich-Stamford sponsors:  Westy’s Storage, Betteridge Jewelers, Richards of Greenwich, Chelsea Piers, Post Pizza, Poland Spring, Celebrity Cleaners, Classic Kids, Go Figure, and Purdue Pharma.

Each participant in the half-mile and 1.5 mile swims are required to raise a minimum of $500 (swimmers under the age of 18 have a $300 minimum); swimmers in the three-mile challenge must raise $1,500, and those in the five-mile challenge must raise $5,000.  Volunteer opportunities for boaters, kayakers and land volunteers are also available.  For more information, visit www.SwimAcrossAmerica.org or email Jacque Lang at Jacque@swimacrossamerica.org or call 888-SWIM-USA or 203-438-0313.