Swimmers from Long Island gear up to create ripples for 'Swim Across America' charity event, aiming to combat cancer.
Swimming for a Cause: Long Island Resident Steve Chestler Takes on Swim Across America
Steve Chestler, a 69-year-old resident of Woodbury, is gearing up to participate in Swim Across America (SAA), an annual event aimed at raising funds for cancer research and patient care. Chestler's team, named Team Carolyn, was established in memory of his late wife who passed away due to adenocarcinoma in 2021.
Chestler and his team have been training for the event for at least 10 weeks, drawing inspiration from his wife's love for the water. She had famously swum the English Channel.
The event, which takes place in the Long Island Sound on Saturday and Cold Spring Harbor on Sunday, is part of a long-standing tradition that dates back to 1992. Over its 33-year history, SAA has raised over $100 million nationally, with the Long Island Sound event alone contributing more than $31 million to the cause.
Participants can choose from various distances on Saturday, including half-mile, 1-mile, 2-mile, and 5K swims at Prybil Beach in Glen Cove. On Sunday, a 10K (6.2 miles) swim is scheduled.
Recruiting donations and financial pledges for miles to be swum was surprisingly easy for Team Carolyn's teammates. Some teammates were initially worried about raising money but found it easier than expected. As of now, Team Carolyn has raised $215,583, which is 86 percent of their goal. Notably, Chestler himself has individually raised over $110,000.
Swim Across America serves the purpose of supporting local New York beneficiaries such as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Columbia University Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, and the Cancer Support Team by funding critical cancer research and patient care.
In addition to the Long Island Sound event, Swim Across America encourages individual swimmers like 16-year-old Arda Agir, who participate in challenging open-water swims such as the 20 Bridges Swim, to raise money for cancer research, further amplifying the fundraising impact in the greater New York area.
In summary, Swim Across America Long Island Sound has a long history since 1992, with a clear purpose to raise significant funds for cancer research and patient care. Its sustained efforts have raised over $31 million locally, significantly impacting regional cancer research funding and awareness through community involvement and large-scale swimming events. This year, Steve Chestler and Team Carolyn are a testament to the event's impact, as they swim in memory of Chestler's late wife, contributing to the ongoing fight against cancer.
Science plays a crucial role in medical-conditions like cancer, as advancements in health-and-wellness research help improve treatment methods. Steve Chestler, a participant in Swim Across America event, is using his passion for sports to fundraise for cancer research, specifically aiding local New York beneficiaries such as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
