Media Advisory: Swim Across America to Raise Funds for UCSF Child Cancer Care
Team UCSF Survive from SAA 2010
WHAT: Olympians and swimming enthusiasts will take part in Swim Across America’s (SAA) sixth annual San Francisco Bay Area Open Water Swim. The 1.5-mile swim from the Golden Gate Bridge to Crissy Field raises money for pediatric cancer programs at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital and Children’s Hospital Oakland through pledges and online donations.
WHEN: Saturday, September 24. Swim will take place from 9 to 10:45 a.m.., followed by post-swim festivities from 10:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.
WHERE: Swimmers will board the Hornblower’s San Francisco Spirit yacht from Pier 3 and head for the Golden Gate Bridge, where they will jump in the water and swim back to Crissy Field East Beach for the celebration. Media opportunities on the beach beginning at 9 a.m.for photos and interviews.
WHO: 130 swimmers including former Olympians Mike Bruner, Alison Townley, Roque Santos, Mark Henderson, Kirk Stackle, Katherine Star, Susan Heon Preston, Craig Beardsley, Daniel Watters and Janel Jorgensen, SAA’s president, in addition to several cancer survivors
CONTACT: Media interested in covering the event or arranging interviews in advance should contact the UCSF News Office at (415) 502-6397 (NEWS). On the day of the event, contact Kay Foley of Swim Across America at (508) 340-0014.
BACKGROUND: Although the event attracts highly skilled athletes, it is not a race. Each swimmer pledges to raise a minimum of $1,000, and prizes will be awarded to the top fundraisers. The swim is expected to raise about $300,000.
The event is the main funding source for the UCSF Survivors of Childhood Cancer Program, which helps pediatric cancer survivors maintain physical and emotional health for the rest of their lives – through clinical care, education and research.
Swim Across America is a national non-profit that runs events throughout the country to support cancer research at the best hospitals and institutions. To date, more than $23 million has been raised. For more information, visit www.swimacrossamerica.org.