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Swim Across America, Greenwich Crew Team-Up for Charity Event

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Last year’s inaugural Meters for a Cure event at the Greenwich Water Club. (contributed photo)

By Richard Kaufman

Swim Across America Fairfield County and Greenwich Crew are teaming up for the second annual charity rowing event — Meters for a Cure Erg Challenge on Sept. 29. Proceeds will support Swim Across America Fairfield County and it’s local beneficiary, the Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy (ACGT), the nation’s only foundation dedicated exclusively to funding cancer gene therapy research.

On Sunday, Sept. 29, scores of crew members, their families and friends will come together to help raise money for cancer research at the Greenwich Water Club, located at 49 River Rd., in Cos Cob. They will relay against each other on ERG machines, a rowing machine also known as an ergometer, to compete to see which team can accumulate the most meters in 40 minutes.

“Our first Swim Across America Fairfield County Meters for A Cure Erg Challenge was a huge success last year,” said Michele Graham, one of the co-chairs of Swim Across America Fairfield County, in a press release on Monday. “We raised $25,000 for crucial cancer gene therapy research in just three short hours. We hope to raise even more this year and are excited to see this program expand to other crew teams throughout Fairfield County.”

Swim Across America usually holds its big open water swim in  mid-June with hundreds of swimmers in the Long Island Sound, but fundraising efforts continue well after that with pool swims, water polo matches, Make Waves Days with area restaurants and retailers. Fundraising culminates in the fall with the Meters for a Cure Erg Challenge and the annual Sip & Shop boutique in October.

“Bringing together Swim Across America with Greenwich Crew and other crew teams is a great way for everyone who is passionate about finding a better treatment for cancer to all make waves!” said Nancy Carr, co-chair of Swim Across America Fairfield County, in the press release.

Michael Wieneke, director of programs and member services with Greenwich Crew and Greenwich Water Club, said last year’s Meters for a Cure event was an “incredibly inspiring day.”

“Everyone who participated had a great time. Part of being a good rower is giving back to your community and the Erg Challenge is a great way for our kids to put their talents to the test and give back by supporting Swim Across America Fairfield County and its mission to raise funds for cancer research,” Wieneke added.

“Everyone knows someone who has been touched by cancer, whether it is a family member, friend or co-worker. Swim Across America has a great reputation supporting cancer research both in Fairfield County and nationally. We are happy Swim Across America Fairfield County partnered with Greenwich Crew to help develop programs outside of their open water and pool swims and we are excited about our upcoming event on September 29.”

Swim Across America Fairfield County has been holding open water swims in Fairfield County for the past 13 years and has raised more than $4 million for ACGT and its cancer gene therapy research grants.

Teams for the Sept. 29 event will be organized and divided by age group (youth and adult), and each participant is being asked to raise at least $100 for the cause. The event is open to anyone. Registration is available in advance at swimacrossamerica.org/gwc2019. On-site registration on Sept. 29 opens at 7:30 a.m.

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