Swimmers raise $170,000 for SCCA

Nearly 200 swimmers took to the open waters of Lake Washington Saturday morning, Sept 11, for the second annual Swim Across America Seattle, raising upward of $170,000. The funds will benefit clinical research studies run through the Cellular Therapy Laboratory at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.

For the first time, a group of SCCA employees formed “Team SCCA” as a way to support the event, which is organized by a committee of community volunteers. The Hutchinson Center’s Dr. Stan Riddell, who swam in the race, gave Team SCCA an inspirational talk on how the event would support efforts to move immunotherapy from the lab to patient therapies.  

Several former Olympic swimmers were on hand for the race and after-activities, including an award ceremony and pancake breakfast at Luther Burbank Park. After the event, Riddell gave an inspirational talk on how the event would support efforts to move immunotherapy from the lab to patient therapies.  

Swimmers chose between a two-mile and half-mile course in Lake Washington. The finish line for both courses was at the Luther Burbank Park swim beach. In addition to the main event, more than a dozen kids participated in a special 50-meter swim to and from an inflatable floating palm tree.

Swim Across America Seattle is part of the nationwide, nonprofit Swim Across America. Founded in 1987, the organization works to raise funds and awareness for cancer research, prevention and treatment.

Swimmers and volunteers interested in learning about plans for next year’s Swim Across America event should contact Jenny Ott at jott@seattlecca.org.

Team SCCA’s swimmers:

• Linette Demers
• Baird Johnson
• Lisa Maves
• Jenny Ott
• Dr. Stan Riddell
• The swimmers also received support from members of the CT lab.