Olympians and Cancer Survivors Team Up to Fight Cancer, Make Waves at Swim Across America – Dallas

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AverittPR

Apr 23, 2015, 03:00 ET

Dallas, Texas (PRWEB) April 23, 2015 -- Olympians and cancer survivors will join hundreds of swimmers of all skill levels for the fifth annual Swim Across America – Dallas events to raise money for the Swim Across America Innovative Clinical Trials Center at Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center at Dallas. Brought to North Texas in 2011 by Olympian swimmers, SAA—Dallas has contributed a total of $1.4 million to Baylor Health Care System Foundation.

SAA-Dallas provides a rare opportunity for swimmers of all skill levels to join the fight against cancer in their own community by diving into Lake Ray Hubbard and Town North YMCA’s pool alongside past members of the U.S. Olympic Swim Team. Olympians and past U.S. National Team members participating in the 2015 event include gold medalists and former world record holders such as Jim Montgomery, Jill Sterkel, Daniel Watters, Andrea Dickson, Jeanne Cunningham, Neil Walker, Brad Bridgewater, Ryan Berube, Walter Soza, and more.

  • Open Water Swim: Saturday, May 30th at The Harbor at Lake Ray Hubbard, featuring a new Iron Distance (2.4 miles), in addition to one-mile and half-mile distances.
  • Pool Swim: Sunday, May 31st at Town North YMCA, featuring family-friendly pool swim for individuals and relay teams. Adding to the fun, the top pool swim fund raisers will be rewarded with the chance to swim on a relay team anchored by 1996 Olympic Gold Medalists Brad Bridgewater and Ryan Berube.

“In just four years since the inaugural Dallas swim, we have raised $1.4 million for innovative cancer research and treatment here in our local community, and we’re pushing hard to reach the $2 million milestone,” said Jeanne Cunningham, Swim Across America – Dallas co-chair and former U.S. National Swim Team member. “We have a special relationship with the team at the Swim Across America Innovative Clinical Trials Center at Baylor and are inspired by the advancements they are making every day in the fight against cancer.”

“As both a participant in and beneficiary of Swim Across America – Dallas, I am inspired by everyone who has made these events so successful in supporting our mission to find a cure for cancer,” said Dr. Alan Miller, medical director, Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center at Dallas and chief of oncology. “The event has played such an important role in helping establish our Phase I clinical trials center, we named it the Swim Across America Innovative Clinical Trials Center. With these increased resources and capabilities, we are bringing hope to more patients with difficult-to-treat cancers who have not responded to standard treatments, which also enables us to continuously develop new and better treatments that can benefit all patients.”

To participate in the open water event, swimmers raise a minimum of $500, and $200 if they are under 18 years old. Pool Swim participants raise a minimum of $100 to participate. Participants may swim individually or as part of a team to honor friends and family that have been affected by cancer. Swimmers who pledge to raise a minimum of $1,000 for SAA are designated “Wavemakers” and receive additional prizes and recognition at the event. To learn more about how the Swim Across America – Dallas is “making waves to fight cancer,” please visit http://www.SWIMACROSSAMERICA.ORG/DALLAS.

About Swim Across America
Swim Across America, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) 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, SAA is helping find a cure for cancer through athleticism, community outreach and direct service. Learn more at: SwimAcrossAmerica.org or follow us on Twitter @SAASwim and Facebook.

About Baylor Scott & White Health
Baylor Scott & White Health, the organization formed from the 2013 merger between Baylor Health Care System and Scott & White Healthcare, is today the largest not-for-profit health care system in the state of Texas. With total assets of $9 billion* and serving a population larger than the state of Virginia, Baylor Scott & White Health has the vision and resources to provide its patients continued quality care while creating a model system for a dramatically changing health care environment. The organization now includes 49 hospitals, more than 800 access points, more than 5,800 active physicians, 35,000 employees and the Scott & White Health Plan. For more information visit: BaylorScottandWhite.com.

*based on unaudited fiscal year 2014 financial statements

Matt Averitt, AverittPR, +1 214-587-8130, [email protected]