As the waves of Lake Michigan met the shore at Ohio Street Beach this morning, swimmers united for a cause that stretches far beyond the cool waters they plunged into. The Swim Across America – Chicago event is not merely a test of endurance, but a collective fight against a foe that has touched countless lives: cancer. The 30th annual open water swim, as detailed by ABC7 Chicago, saw participants of all ages take part in 1/2-mile, 1-mile, or a challenging 2-mile swim, each stroke symbolizing hope and progress in cancer research.
Since its inception in 1994, Swim Across America Chicago has been a relentless fundraising force, managing to solidly raise over $5 million in three decades. The organization has consistently dedicated its efforts to supporting the early-stage research and clinical trials at Rush University's Anderson Cancer Center, which partnered with Swim Across America in 2012. The annual swim meet set a one-day goal to raise $300,000 this year, a figure that speaks to the sheer determination to quickly help fuel the breakthroughs in oncology.
The community aspect of this event is not lost on its participants or organizers. "We've had swimmers that have been participating for every year since we started in 1994," event director Alyse Mauro Mason told ABC7 Chicago. "So this is a true event of family and community, and there's nothing more special than a swimming community and a cancer community." This sentiment resonates with the tradition of re-investing into the very community that sustains the event year after year.
The synchrony of the schedule was vital to ensure a smooth experience for all involved. Swimmers began to convene early, with registration kicking off at 6:30 AM, according to the event details on the Choose Chicago website. Following the opening ceremony, safety discussions, and the symbolic River Stone Ceremony, swimmers set off in staggered starts. The entire congregation of participants was to safely finish by 10:15 AM, to then enjoy a well-deserved boxed lunch.
Swim Across America's impactful initiative continues to cement its status as a beacon of hope and solidarity in Chicago. As swimmers dried off and shared their stories on the sand today, they did more than just swim; they helped to literally carry forward the possibilities of life-saving research—one stroke at a time.
