Olympians from Around the Country Jump Back into the Water to Raise Money for Swim Across America Benefiting the Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer in Dallas
Dallas, TX, May 23, 2011 --(PR.com)-- The first annual Swim Across America event to be held in Texas isn’t just a chance for former Olympic swimmers to reunite, it’s their opportunity to band together and give back to the community through their talents and love of the water.
This group of swimmers with 16 Olympic medals among them representing Olympic competitions from the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City to the 2004 Olympic in Athens will swim in Dallas on June 11, 2011 to raise money in support of the newly opened Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center, the largest outpatient cancer center in North Texas dedicated to cancer care, research and education.
The event will be held at Lake Ray Hubbard and will feature a ½-mile, 1-mile and 2-mile courses. Swimmers may swim individually, or as part of a team to honor friends and family that have been touched by cancer.
"We are very excited to bring this swimming event to Dallas, and to have so many Olympians joining us in our efforts,” said Janel Jorgensen, Swim Across America President, and a silver medalist on the 1988 Olympic team who is also swimming in the event. “The addition of Dallas to our roster of cities brings the total number of open water events nationwide to 13. Dallas is joining cities such as Boston, New York, Baltimore and San Francisco.
“Through the dedication and support of hundreds of volunteers nationwide, and past and current Olympic swimmers, our events have raised more than $30 million to help us realize our mission of finding a cure for cancer,” said Jorgensen.
Ten former Olympians from across the country will be in Dallas to participate in this much anticipated event including:
Ryan Berube, 37, Dallas, Texas, 1 gold (Atlanta 1996)
Brad Bridgewater, 38, Dallas, Texas, 1 gold (Atlanta 1996)
Josh Davis, 38, San Antonio, Texas, 3 gold (Atlanta 1996), 2 silver (Sydney 2000)
Andrea Hayes Dickson, 42, Dallas, Texas, (Seoul 1988)
Janel Jorgensen, 39, Boston, Mass., 1 silver (Seoul 1988)
Ken Merten, 66, Dallas, Texas, (Mexico City 1968)
Jim Montgomery, 56, Dallas, Texas, 3 gold, 1 bronze (Montreal 1976)
Kirk Stackle, 43, Austin, Texas, (Seoul 1988)
Daniel Watters, 40, Dallas, Texas, (Seoul 1988)
Neil Walker, 34, Dallas, Texas, 1 gold, 1 silver (Sydney 2000), 1 gold, 1 bronze (Athens 2004)
“We have all been touched by cancer in one way or another whether through a loved one or a friend,” said Daniel Watters, co-chair of the Swim Across America event in Dallas and a member of the 1988 Olympic team. “We realize the gift we’ve been given by being able to participate in this sport at the Olympic level, and we are honored that we can come together and give back to those who have supported us in so many ways.”
Monies raised by the more than XXX swimmers signed up to participate in Dallas’ Swim Across America open water event will go to help fund the new Innovative Clinical Trials Center (ICTC) at the -Baylor Sammons Cancer Center.
“The Innovative Clinical Trials Center is so important to our work in finding a cure for cancer,” said Dr. Carlos Becerra, head of the ICTC. “When patients come to us, they have basically exhausted all other options available to them through traditional treatments. Our job is to try to find new treatments and therapies to help them and in turn, help others.”
Becerra, a master swimmer who started swimming competitively at the age of 8, is also swimming in the open water event as part of Team Baylor Salmons, which also includes Dr. Alan Miller, medical director at the Cancer Center and chief of oncology for the Baylor Health Care System.
The Innovative Clinical Trials Center will expand patient’s access to advanced research which will enhance treatment options and open doors to quality clinical trials and treatments. “Some of the therapies that we will offer may not be available anywhere else, or may be available only at a limited number of facilities in the world,” said Dr. Miller.
To learn more about the Swim Across America Dallas event and how we are “Making Waves to Fight Cancer,” please visit www.swimacrossamerica.org/dallas.
About Swim Across America
Swim Across America, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) dedicated to raising money for cancer research, prevention and treatment through swimming- related events. With the help of hundreds of volunteers nationwide and past and current Olympians, SAA is helping find a cure for cancer through athleticism, community outreach and direct service.
About Baylor Health Care System
Baylor Health Care System is a not-for-profit, faith-based supporting organization providing services to a network of acute care hospitals and related health care entities that provide patient care, medical education, research and community service. Baylor recorded more than 2.6 million patient encounters, $3.8 billion in total operating revenue, $4.4 billion in total assets and $513.5 million in community benefit in fiscal year 2010. Baylor’s network of more than 280 access points includes 27 owned/operated/ ventured/affiliated hospitals, 23 joint ventured ambulatory surgical centers, 50 satellite outpatient locations, four senior centers and 156 HealthTexas Provider Network physician clinics.
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This group of swimmers with 16 Olympic medals among them representing Olympic competitions from the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City to the 2004 Olympic in Athens will swim in Dallas on June 11, 2011 to raise money in support of the newly opened Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center, the largest outpatient cancer center in North Texas dedicated to cancer care, research and education.
The event will be held at Lake Ray Hubbard and will feature a ½-mile, 1-mile and 2-mile courses. Swimmers may swim individually, or as part of a team to honor friends and family that have been touched by cancer.
"We are very excited to bring this swimming event to Dallas, and to have so many Olympians joining us in our efforts,” said Janel Jorgensen, Swim Across America President, and a silver medalist on the 1988 Olympic team who is also swimming in the event. “The addition of Dallas to our roster of cities brings the total number of open water events nationwide to 13. Dallas is joining cities such as Boston, New York, Baltimore and San Francisco.
“Through the dedication and support of hundreds of volunteers nationwide, and past and current Olympic swimmers, our events have raised more than $30 million to help us realize our mission of finding a cure for cancer,” said Jorgensen.
Ten former Olympians from across the country will be in Dallas to participate in this much anticipated event including:
Ryan Berube, 37, Dallas, Texas, 1 gold (Atlanta 1996)
Brad Bridgewater, 38, Dallas, Texas, 1 gold (Atlanta 1996)
Josh Davis, 38, San Antonio, Texas, 3 gold (Atlanta 1996), 2 silver (Sydney 2000)
Andrea Hayes Dickson, 42, Dallas, Texas, (Seoul 1988)
Janel Jorgensen, 39, Boston, Mass., 1 silver (Seoul 1988)
Ken Merten, 66, Dallas, Texas, (Mexico City 1968)
Jim Montgomery, 56, Dallas, Texas, 3 gold, 1 bronze (Montreal 1976)
Kirk Stackle, 43, Austin, Texas, (Seoul 1988)
Daniel Watters, 40, Dallas, Texas, (Seoul 1988)
Neil Walker, 34, Dallas, Texas, 1 gold, 1 silver (Sydney 2000), 1 gold, 1 bronze (Athens 2004)
“We have all been touched by cancer in one way or another whether through a loved one or a friend,” said Daniel Watters, co-chair of the Swim Across America event in Dallas and a member of the 1988 Olympic team. “We realize the gift we’ve been given by being able to participate in this sport at the Olympic level, and we are honored that we can come together and give back to those who have supported us in so many ways.”
Monies raised by the more than XXX swimmers signed up to participate in Dallas’ Swim Across America open water event will go to help fund the new Innovative Clinical Trials Center (ICTC) at the -Baylor Sammons Cancer Center.
“The Innovative Clinical Trials Center is so important to our work in finding a cure for cancer,” said Dr. Carlos Becerra, head of the ICTC. “When patients come to us, they have basically exhausted all other options available to them through traditional treatments. Our job is to try to find new treatments and therapies to help them and in turn, help others.”
Becerra, a master swimmer who started swimming competitively at the age of 8, is also swimming in the open water event as part of Team Baylor Salmons, which also includes Dr. Alan Miller, medical director at the Cancer Center and chief of oncology for the Baylor Health Care System.
The Innovative Clinical Trials Center will expand patient’s access to advanced research which will enhance treatment options and open doors to quality clinical trials and treatments. “Some of the therapies that we will offer may not be available anywhere else, or may be available only at a limited number of facilities in the world,” said Dr. Miller.
To learn more about the Swim Across America Dallas event and how we are “Making Waves to Fight Cancer,” please visit www.swimacrossamerica.org/dallas.
About Swim Across America
Swim Across America, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) dedicated to raising money for cancer research, prevention and treatment through swimming- related events. With the help of hundreds of volunteers nationwide and past and current Olympians, SAA is helping find a cure for cancer through athleticism, community outreach and direct service.
About Baylor Health Care System
Baylor Health Care System is a not-for-profit, faith-based supporting organization providing services to a network of acute care hospitals and related health care entities that provide patient care, medical education, research and community service. Baylor recorded more than 2.6 million patient encounters, $3.8 billion in total operating revenue, $4.4 billion in total assets and $513.5 million in community benefit in fiscal year 2010. Baylor’s network of more than 280 access points includes 27 owned/operated/ ventured/affiliated hospitals, 23 joint ventured ambulatory surgical centers, 50 satellite outpatient locations, four senior centers and 156 HealthTexas Provider Network physician clinics.
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Contact
Swim Across America
Denise Hodges
214-599-8703
www.swimacrossamerica.org
Denise Hodges
214-599-8703
www.swimacrossamerica.org
Contact
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