NARRAGANSET, R.I. (WPRI) — More than 800 swimmers took the plunge Saturday morning at Roger Wheeler State Beach for the 15th annual Swim Across America Rhode Island, all in support of the fight against cancer.
Swim Across America (SAA) is a nonprofit that supports cancer research through 24 open-water swims and hundreds of pool swims nationwide.
Since its establishment in 2010, SAARI has raised over $2.5 million for cancer research, specifically benefiting the Women’s Oncology Program at Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island.
This year, the event raised more than $280,000, closing in on its $300,000 goal.
Participants had the option to swim one mile, a half-mile, or a quarter-mile. New this year was the Splash & Dash, a shorter, shallow-water swim for children 12 and under.
According to SAA, the Rhode Island event draws more collegiate swim teams than any other SAA event in the country.
“What’s better for a Rhode Islander than jumping into the ocean for a swim and knowing you are also supporting life-saving cancer research? We are literally ‘making waves to fight cancer’. With the addition of this year’s Splash & Dash, this is truly a family-friendly event,” said Shannon R. Sullivan, president, and COO of Women & Infants Hospital.