CHARLOTTE – Swim Across America’s mission is deeply private for Drennan Shall, a 15-year-old Paralympic swimmer with SwimMAC Carolina and two-time most cancers survivor.
Drennan, a sophomore at Providence Day School, was identified as a toddler with stage iii, group 3 rhabdomyosarcoma, a uncommon and aggressive tissue most cancers.
He underwent a number of rounds of chemotherapy, radiation and surgical procedure earlier than going into remission in 2013.
While the therapies had been lifesaving, they left him with lasting weak point in his left foot and leg, qualifying him to compete as a Paralympic swimmer. He additionally turned concerned in Charlotte-based Swim Across America, which organizes swimming occasions throughout the nation to lift cash for most cancers analysis.
Swim Across America – Charlotte has donated greater than $1 million to Atrium Health Levine Cancer and Levine Children’s Hospital, supporting lifesaving analysis and affected person care.
The nonprofit is making ready for its ninth annual Swim Across America – Charlotte Open Water Swim on Oct. 5 at Camp Thunderbird in Lake Wylie. Proceeds profit Atrium Health Levine Cancer and Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte.
“Every year since 2019, I’ve looked forward to Swim Across America because it’s not just a swim, it’s a community all united by a shared purpose to make waves in the fight against cancer,” Drennan mentioned. “As someone who has faced cancer and witnessed family members like my grandfather, battle the disease, I know how important this cause is. Every dollar raised helps fund lifesaving research and provides hope to patients and families. I am grateful for every single contribution and proud to be part of this incredible movement.”
Outside of the pool, Drennan serves on the Swim Across America – Charlotte Junior Advisory Board, the place he’s a part of the social media committee (@jabcharlottesaa). Drennan’s twin sister, Annie, and youthful sister additionally swim within the occasion. Their dad and mom and Apollo, the Bernedoodle, will cheer them on throughout the Oct. 5 swim.
Drennan mentioned his objective is to encourage others to help Swim Across America and to point out that even the hardest challenges can gasoline energy and goal.
Swim Across America has raised greater than $120 million since 1987 to assist fund most cancers analysis and medical trials. That work has contributed to FDA-approved most cancers immunotherapies similar to Keytruda, Opdivo, Yervoy and Tecentriq.
In the previous yr, Swim Across America funded a breakthrough medical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering that confirmed that immunotherapy alone might efficiently deal with sure sorts of most cancers. The nonprofit just lately awarded two first-of-its-kind gene modifying innovation grants.
Want to go?
Swimmers and volunteers of all ages and talent ranges will collect on Oct. 5 at Camp Thunderbird in Lake Wylie for the ninth annual Swim Across America – Charlotte Open Water Swim.
Participants select from 0.5-mile, 1-mile or 2-mile swim choices, with a same-day pool swim accessible.
Visit swimacrossamerica.org/charlotte to register to swim, volunteer or donate.