June 29 Annual Swim Across America – Fairfield County Open Water Swim Just Became Personal for Event Director Nancy Carr After Her Own Cancer Diagnosis
18th Annual Swim Across America – Fairfield County Attracts Hundreds Who Make Waves to Fight Cancer and Support the Swim’s Local Beneficiary Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy
On Saturday, June 29, 2024, hundreds of swimmers and volunteers will dive into Long Island Sound to make waves to fight cancer at the 18th annual Swim Across America – Fairfield County open water swim, which raises funds for the swim’s local beneficiary Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy (ACGT). This year’s swim has become extra meaningful and more personal for the event’s director, Nancy Carr, who recently received her own cancer diagnosis.
Nancy Carr is a longtime resident of Greenwich, Connecticut, who now resides in Stamford. Nancy has for many years supported friends and family who have been touched by cancer by joining them at the annual Swim Across America – Fairfield County swim — first as a volunteer, then stepping up in 2019 to be co-event director, and now event director. Nancy is known for her big smile, boundless energy, genuine positive attitude, and ability to bring the community together. She has also been instrumental in bringing in additional support for the swim’s fundraising, with initiatives such as an annual Sip & Shop and Make Waves Day for local retailers and restaurants. Her success in expanding the swim’s reach touches the whole community by encouraging participation from volunteers from throughout Fairfield County and bringing in community groups such as the Greenwich Young Professionals Group, the Rotary Club and Pitch Your Peers.
Nancy is known for saying, “You don’t have to be a swimmer to make an impact.” This holds true even more this year as she just underwent treatment for two types of gastrointestinal cancer, and is leading her “Team G.I. Nancy,” while still heading up the swim on June 29.
“I was diagnosed this spring with two completely unrelated G.I. (gastrointestinal) cancers. That is some sh*tty news,” said Nancy. “When you think of me, I want you to picture G.I. Jane, the head-shaven badass who is stronger than most give her credit for, who will never give up. Ever. I don’t know if I’m going to lose my hair, but I do know I’m going to have to be strong. And I am so very lucky to have an army of supporters. I am not facing this alone. Together, we’re going to kick cancer’s a**!”
Nancy also noted that with her diagnosis she also got some good news. “I’m choosing to feel lucky in an unlucky situation. My doctors are using the word ‘cure’ when discussing my treatments. Cure is a powerful, motivating word. It’s why I joined Swim Across America years ago and why I continue to lead Swim Across America – Fairfield County. I hope that you will join me and the hundreds of other swimmers, boaters, kayakers, paddle boarders and land volunteers on June 29th who are diving in to make waves to fight cancer.”
Three swim distances are available at the June 29th swim: a half-mile, 1.5-mile and 3-mile swim. NEW this year is a Kids’ Splash for children up to age 11 and for parents with young children. The Kids’ Splash is being called the “Queen Willa” Kids’ Splash after five-year-old Willa Kosh of Old Greenwich, who is currently fearlessly battling pediatric leukemia. Als new this year is a High School Cup trophy to be awarded to a Fairfield County area high school swim, dive or water polo team, who together fundraises the most.
Swim Across America – Fairfield County supports Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy (ACGT), headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut. Since 2007, Swim Across America – Fairfield County has granted more than $5.5 million to ACGT and supported the funding of 13 ACGT research fellows, contributing to their mission to help develop cell and gene therapies that strengthen the immune system to fight cancer without impacting healthy tissue.
Currently, Swim Across America – Fairfield County is helping to fund two ACGT research fellows: Juan Fueyo, MD, at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center for brain cancer, and Brian Brown, PhD, at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai for lung and ovarian cancers. A third researcher and new ACGT research fellow, E. Antonio Chiocca, MD, PhD, at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, who is working on glioblastoma, will be added with the funding from the 2024 swim.
“We are very excited to be supporting these three amazing cancer scientists, including the newest ACGT research fellow Dr. Chiocca from the Brigham and Women’s Hospital,” noted Nancy Carr. “ACGT and Swim Across America funding will help Dr. Chiocca conduct a clinical trial using an oncolytic virus therapy for glioblastoma.”
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