Open Water Swim to Fight Cancer 2013
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ATLANTA OPEN WATER SWIM TO FIGHT CANCER 2013 A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT To our Swim Across America Family, To many of us, Swim Across America is a beloved brand, a way to give back, and a summer family. For 25 years we have held close to our roots, swimming to fight cancer Towhile our supportingSwim Across beneficiaries America locally, Family, ensuring that our swimmers ALWAYS know their impact. To many of us, Swim Across America is a beloved brand, a way to give back, and a summer family.Back in For 1987, 25 we years began we as havea handful held of friendsclose swimmingto our roots, swimming to fight cancer while from Nantucket to Cape Cod and have evolved into a sunationalpporting organization beneficiaries that has locally, raised over ensuring $45 Million. that our swimmers ALWAYS know their impact. We have also grown tremendously over the past few years, Backadding in 1987,swims wein Baltimore, began as Tampa, a handful the Hamptons, of friends Rhode swimming from Nantucket to Cape Cod and have evolvedIsland and into this a nationalyear’s newest organization swim in Atlanta. that has Together, raised we over $45 Million. We have also grown have become a national powerhouse, able to seek out and tremendously over the past few years, adding swims in Baltimore, Tampa, the Hamptons, Rhode support the most reputable researchers and institutions in Islandthe country. and this year’s newest swim in Atlanta. Together, we have becomeDO a national NOT powerhouse, GO WHERE able to seek out and support the most reputable researchers and institutions in the country. With 15 Open Water Swims and dozens of pool swims in THE PATH MAY LEAD; With2013, 15 we Open look forward Water to Swims our biggest and event dozens series of yet. pool As swims in 2013, weGO look forwardINSTEAD to our WHERE biggestwe continue event to grow,series we yet. are evolvingAs we continuethe Swim Across to grow, we are evolving the Swim Across America America brand, while formally recommitting ourselves to brand,the values while that formally make us unique,recommitting and have ourselvesbeen the pillars to the values that make THEREus unique, andIS haveNO PATH beenof our t hesuccess pillars for of 25 our years. success for 25 years. AND LEAVE A TRAIL. ThankThank youyou for for being being a part a part of the of Swim the AcrossSwim AmericaAcross America family and for helping— RALPH to make WALDO us EMERSON whofamily we and are. for Mosthelping importantly, to make us who thank we are. you Most for impor joining- us in 2013 as we approach the next 25 tantly, thank you for joining us in 2013 as we approach the yearsnext 25with years unparalleled with unparalleled energy energy and and commitment commitment to to the fight against cancer. the fight against cancer. All the Best, All the Best, Janel Jorgensen McArdle Janel Jorgensen McArdle President & CEO President & CEO Swim Across America, Inc. Swim Across America, Inc. A Dear Swimmers, NOTE Donors, OF Volunteers & APPRECIATIONFriends, Thank you so much for joining us for the X annual SAA – X Swim. In this year’s swim, X swimmers challenged themselves not only to jump into the open water, but also to raise as A LETTER FROM THE EVENT TEAM April 13, 2013 Dear Swimmers, Sponsors and Volunteers, We are so thankful for your support for our Inaugural Swim We have so many people to thank for such a successful Across America event in Georgia. We have been humbled Inaugural event. Thank you to Accenture, Cisco and all of by the countless stories of courage, heart-break, and triumph our early sponsors who believe in the work we are doing! that have given such meaning and importance to our Thank you to our Team Captains for taking the lead, with event. Team Chip’s Nation is swimming for a very special little direction, to bring swimmers together for an important 15 year old boy who has spent the past year courageously cause. Thank you Coach Doug and Coach Jason, for and diligently recovering from brain cancer. Team Aqua teaching our swimmers that their sport can have an impact Tots swims for 7 year old Leah, who lost her battle with beyond the clock. Thank you volunteers like Amy, Megan, cancer in January and Team Brookie swims to celebrate Nancy, and Margaret who go above and beyond on a daily good health and the beauty of a ‘normal’ day in the life basis to make our event one that our swimmers will want of an 8 year old cancer survivor. Our team and individual to come back to every year. Thank you to our lean and pages are full of dedications honoring loved ones who have mighty staff in Boston, Janel, Blake and Kay for stretching all been impacted by cancer. We are all swimming to make yourselves beyond capacity. Thank you to our Olympians an impact on the Fight Against Cancer. for continuing to give back to swimmers in such meaningful ways! And thank you to all of the swimmers that choose to While Swim Across America has raised over $45 Million for be a part of our event. Together, we will make a difference cancer research by hosting swim events across the country, in the Fight Against Cancer. this is the first year the open water swim event and Olympian clinic will be held in Georgia. The participants in the 2013 Sincerely, Atlanta swim represent a very special group of people. With so many wonderful causes and reasons to participate in other athletic events, you made a commitment to support Sheri Hart Swim Across America Atlanta. Your involvement is critical because we are providing funding for pediatric cancer Megan Melgaard research that might not otherwise be possible through traditional funding sources. Our early support for Amy Tillotson Dr. MacDonald and his research team at The Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta will provide funding that goes directly to the resources who are doing breakthrough research that could lead to new treatments and better quality of life for pediatric cancer patients. Every dollar we raise is important in the Fight Against Cancer! A LETTER FROM OUR BENEFICIARY LIFE’S MOST PERSISTENT AND URGENT QUESTION IS: WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR OTHERS? — DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING Dear Friends, Thank you for your support of Swim Across America! I am deeply grateful for your interest in and enthusiasm for raising funds for the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. The Aflac Cancer Center is the largest childhood cancer and blood disorders program in the country, caring for more than 6,500 children on a yearly basis. Approximately 3,000 children and teens are diagnosed with brain tumors in the United States each year. This makes brain tumors the most common pediatric solid tumor, and the reason I am personally grateful for your support of my research. It is only through discovery, innovation and collaboration that researchers at the Aflac Cancer Center are able to find safer, more effective methods of treatment for children with brain tumors - and ultimately a cure. Again, you have my deepest thanks for being a vital part of this urgent work. Gratefully, Tobey MacDonald, M.D. Tobey MacDonald, M.D. WHO WE ARE UNTIL THERE IS A CURE FOR CANCER, THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A REASON TO SWIM, ALL ACROSS AMERICA. — MATT VOSSLER, SAA CO-FOUNDER 2013 will mark the 26th year of Swim Across America. During that time, we have grown from a single event in Nantucket, MA, to 15 Open–Water Swims in 13 major metropolitan areas, as well as dozens of pool swims across the nation. To date, SAA has raised over $45 million for cancer research, prevention and treatment. At Swim Across America, we promise that our swimmers will always know their impact in the fight against cancer because, at SAA, money raised locally, stays local. Each open water swim supports a beneficiary in the city where it is held…When you join the SAA family, you are making an impact in your city. MISSION STATEMENT 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, SAA is helping to find a cure for cancer through athleticism, community outreach and direct service. COMMITTEE & SPECIAL THANKS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SPECIAL THANKS TO Sheri Hart, Chair Georgia Tech CRC – for the use of your state of the art Megan Melgaard, Open Water Event Director facilities for our Olympian Clinic. Amy Tillotson, Brand Manager, Event Manager Tracy Meazell and Concourse Athletic Club for your early Kevin Hart, Executive Advisor sponsorship and the many events you hosted at the club Diane Vaughan, Beneficiary Sponsor to generate awareness and excitement for our event. Sara Wagoner, Beneficiary Chair Dena Malson, Jessica Potts, Marketing Lake Spivey Homeowners Association for your support and Shelton Stephens, CHOA Sports Network Sponsor use of your beautiful lake. Special thanks to Steve, Brent, Jessica Killgallen, CHOA Sports Network Event Director Mike, Jon, Beth, Barbara, and Joe! Heather Kirksey & Lucy Crosswell, Public Relations Clayton County Parks and Recreations for providing event Doug Gjertsen, Olympian Clinic Director parking and shuttle services. Nancy Peek, Olympian Hospitality and A/P Chair Trish Carter and The Lovett School for hosting our Swim Series. Margaret Kleiman, Olympian Clinic Coordinator Ed Saltzman & Rob Copeland, USMS liaisons The Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center Patients who Steve Lundquist, Site Procurement & Readiness helped with our Award design.