On Saturday, September 24, sixteen members of the Lovett Varsity Swim Team participated in Swim Across America, an open-water swim event to help fund cancer research, clinical trials, and patient programs.
According to the Swim Across America (SAA) website, SAA “is the sequel to the triumph of Jeff Keith’s Run Across America.” Jeff Kieth, who had lost his leg to cancer, and two of his childhood friends Matt Vossler and Hugh Curran, ran from Boston to Los Angeles in eight months. Their run raised $1 million for the American Cancer Society.
After the run, Matt decided that philanthropic funding would be necessary in the fight against cancer. He created Swim Across the Sound which later expanded to Swim Across America.
Sophomore and varsity swimmer Virginia Jane Hultgren was the ambassador for Lovett’s SAA team. She got donations, organized smaller fundraisers, and helped out all “rookies” with their first open-water swim. She was also the ambassador for her swim club, Dynamo.
Virginia Jane first participated in SAA in the fifth grade after hearing that her friend’s sister did it in high school.
Mylee Dubin, another sophomore varsity swimmer, also participated in this fundraiser. “I heard about it a few years ago, but I didn't end up doing it until it was offered by Lovett,” Mylee explained.
Though Swim Across America is connected with a serious health issue, it’s “really fun [and] not a heavy thing,” Virginia Jane told me. “It really brings the Atlanta swim community together… and is an opportunity to compete that's not a big meet.”
Both girls agreed that SAA is also a great start to the Lovett swim season and helps the swim team rekindle connections and unify as a team before the season starts.
The event itself is a morning full of music and fun. Swimmers enjoy a table of temporary tattoos with the Swim Across America logo, inspirational quotes, and other positive statements like “Give me a high five!”
However, the social aspect does not take away from the true purpose of the swim. Over the course of the morning, participants are given the chance to speak to the crowd about their reason for supporting the cause, whether it's a personal story or the story of a loved one.
Many of the Lovett swimmers had a personal connection to the cause. Virginia Jane’s mom survived cancer, she told me, adding how special it was to be able to “represent her while doing something I love.”
In the future, the Lovett swim team wants everyone to try to contribute, even if they are not a swimmer. “More people should volunteer even if they aren't swimmers,” Virginia Jane said.
This year, Lovett had two non-swimmer volunteers that helped guide groups of swimmers to the water and cheered on the Lovett swimmers during their swim, which certainly helped me get in the cold water.
Even if you don’t have time to go to Lake Lanier to help out, Virginia Jane believes that “just donating makes a difference.”
Original source can be found here.
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