Swim Across America-Atlanta plans to return September 26, 2020 to make waves in the fight against childhood cancer. For the first time, SAA-Atlanta will take place at the beautiful Lake Lanier Olympic Park, home of the rowing events in the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games.
Details of any potential changes to the open water swim in light of the COVID-19 outbreak in Georgia are still forthcoming. The event will follow recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and health officials.
Historically, the event has brought more than 600 regional swimmers of all skill levels, Olympians, and cancer survivors to support cancer research at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
More than 10 Olympians are expected to swim the open water event and participate in an autograph clinic for registered swimmers and Olympians, land volunteers and spectators. Swimmers can swim individually or as part of a team, and can choose from half-mile, 1-mile, and 5K distances.
In just eight years, SAA – Atlanta has grown into a top event in both fundraising and attendance for Swim Across America (SAA), which hosts swim events coast-to-coast that fund life-saving cancer research.
“The reason for the success of the SAA – Atlanta swim are our 40-plus local swim teams from high schools, swim clubs, families, and corporate teams like sponsors Accenture and Cisco, who dive into “fun” raising in honor and memory of cancer warriors,” says Nicole Schwartz, SAA – Atlanta event director. “Thanks to their commitment, we’ve been able to contribute so much over the years to this deserving cause.”
SAA—Atlanta funds benefit the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. This year’s event will benefit the research efforts of Young Investigators at the Aflac Cancer Center. Support for young investigators provides funding to a cohort of promising investigators and future research leaders to encourage and promote quality research in clinical oncology. The intent is to fund physicians and provide career and project support for young, proven investigators in postdoctoral fellowships or who have recently achieved junior faculty positions and are committing their lives to the field of pediatric cancer to provide research with vibrant new ideas. Funding is designed to nurture young scientists in the pursuit of independent hypotheses and enable them to develop the preliminary data necessary to successfully compete for major research grants. SAA funding will support five young investigators and their respective research studies.
To date, SAA – Atlanta has raised $2.25 million for the Aflac Cancer Center. Previous funds have supported pediatric brain research, leukemia research and clinical trials.
“Thanks to partners like Swim Across America, the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center remains a national leader in pediatric cancer treatment research through development of protocols that improve the way we fight childhood cancer,” said Dr. Douglas Graham, Chief of the Aflac Cancer Center. “Swim Across America’s commitment to cancer research, including support for our Young Investigators at the Aflac Cancer Center, is critical to helping us find innovative treatment options.”
Swim Across America-Atlanta (SAA-Atlanta) plans to return September 26, 2020 to make waves in the fight against childhood cancer. For the first time, SAA-Atlanta will take place at the beautiful Lake Lanier Olympic Park, home of the rowing events in the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games.
Details of any potential changes to the open water swim in light of the COVID-19 outbreak in Georgia are still forthcoming. The event will follow recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and health officials.
Historically, the event has brought more than 600 regional swimmers of all skill levels, Olympians, and cancer survivors to support cancer research at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
More than 10 Olympians are expected to swim the open water event and participate in an autograph clinic for registered swimmers and Olympians, land volunteers and spectators. Swimmers can swim individually or as part of a team, and can choose from half-mile, 1-mile, and 5K distances.
In just eight years, SAA – Atlanta has grown into a top event in both fundraising and attendance for Swim Across America (SAA), which hosts swim events coast-to-coast that fund life-saving cancer research.
“The reason for the success of the SAA – Atlanta swim are our 40-plus local swim teams from high schools, swim clubs, families, and corporate teams like sponsors Accenture and Cisco, who dive into “fun” raising in honor and memory of cancer warriors,” says Nicole Schwartz, SAA – Atlanta event director. “Thanks to their commitment, we’ve been able to contribute so much over the years to this deserving cause.”
SAA—Atlanta funds benefit the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. This year’s event will benefit the research efforts of Young Investigators at the Aflac Cancer Center. Support for young investigators provides funding to a cohort of promising investigators and future research leaders to encourage and promote quality research in clinical oncology. The intent is to fund physicians and provide career and project support for young, proven investigators in postdoctoral fellowships or who have recently achieved junior faculty positions and are committing their lives to the field of pediatric cancer to provide research with vibrant new ideas. Funding is designed to nurture young scientists in the pursuit of independent hypotheses and enable them to develop the preliminary data necessary to successfully compete for major research grants. SAA funding will support five young investigators and their respective research studies.
To date, SAA – Atlanta has raised $2.25 million for the Aflac Cancer Center. Previous funds have supported pediatric brain research, leukemia research and clinical trials.
“Thanks to partners like Swim Across America, the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center remains a national leader in pediatric cancer treatment research through development of protocols that improve the way we fight childhood cancer,” said Dr. Douglas Graham, Chief of the Aflac Cancer Center. “Swim Across America’s commitment to cancer research, including support for our Young Investigators at the Aflac Cancer Center, is critical to helping us find innovative treatment options.”
To swim, volunteer or donate, visit WWW.SWIMACROSSAMERICA.ORG/ATLANTA.
