Making Waves to Fight Cancer

Date: November 11, 2010

Center Director, Dr. William Nelson (left) with Olympic swimmer and Baltimore native Michael Phelps (right).

On September 19, 2010, more than 600 swimmers of all ages and skill levels, including Olympians, will be swam in the inaugural Baltimore Swim Across American event “Make Waves to Fight Cancer”  raising $375,000 for cancer research at the Kimmel Cancer Center.

The event included an open-water swim in the Chesapeake Bay or a pool swim at the Meadowbrook Aquatic and Fitness Center in Mount Washington. Record-setting Olympic swimmer and Baltimore native Michael Phelps was the official swim starter.

Following the swims, there was a reception for participants and their families and friends to recognize individuals and teams who raised the most money. In addition, Kimmel Cancer Center clinician-scientist Luis Diaz discussed how the money raised will be used to fight cancer.

“We are extremely grateful that Swim Across America Baltimore chose to support the Kimmel Cancer Center,” says Center director, Dr. William Nelson.  “Each swimmer and each donation allows us to expand our work and discover new ways to treat and fight cancer.”

Take a video tour of our Swim Across America Laboratory