Participants shared their motivation for swimming in the annual charity event. (submitted photo)
The fifth annual Swim Across America-Nashville (SAA-Nashville), an annual team relay pool swim and charity event held at Ensworth Natatorium, celebrated a record-setting year: They raised more than $130,000 for cancer research and clinical trials at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.
Ben Ho Park, MD, PhD, the Benjamin F. Byrd Jr. Professor of Oncology and Director of Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, kicked things off with his signature cannonball splash. Nearly 200 swimmers — including Olympians Missy Franklin Johnson, Paige Zemina Northcutt and Claire Donahue White — volunteers, supporters and sponsors participated this year, making it the largest and most successful Nashville swim to date.
The funds will be awarded to cancer researchers studying new approaches for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. With this year’s proceeds, SAA-Nashville has now raised more than $500,000 to fund cancer research initiatives at Vanderbilt-Ingram since 2022.
Past grant recipients have used funds to investigate advancements in malignant pleural effusion (often caused by cancers such as breast cancer spreading to the lungs), early-stage lung cancer, surgical oncology and more.
Trying to find another fun way to support cancer research and exercise? Clip In 4 the Cure’s early bird registration closes on June 30.
