Swimming for Carcinoid Research

Last Friday, I participated in the Swim Across America Boston Harbor Islands Swim to raise money for CFCF’s large-scale genome study of carcinoid. I was fortunate to swim alongside a very special group of recreational, masters and Olympic swimmers who had all taken off a day from work to raise funds for cancer research. Each team swam in relay fashion from Rowes Wharf in downtown Boston out to the Boston Harbor Islands and back.

A day in the sun with such a tremendous group of individuals made swimming in the harbor bearable! I am so honored the CFCF is partnering with an innovative organization like Swim Across America as we work to achieve our mutual goals or raising money and awareness for cancer research, prevention and treatment. The hard work and efforts of everyone who participated paid off. In total, Swim Across America raised over $250,000. Team CFCF raised over $10,000 for the large-scale genome study of carcinoid tumors led by Dr Matthew Meyerson. I know that everyone was pleased with our achievements, especially in these tough economic times.

The first time I jumped in, the water felt icy cold and I could barely breath, thinking that I would never make it all day. It was eerily calm on the water, like swimming in a lake on a cool (or COLD) spring morning. As we swam, currents went from hot to cold and back. Just when I found myself getting into a comfortable grove, we would swim into a freezing cold patch.

While on the boat I had a lot of time to discuss the Caring for Carcinoid Foundation and our life-saving mission with other swimmers. I was excited to discuss the progress already achieved by our funded-scientists and was looking forward to our upcoming patient Awareness Weekend this September 12-13th in Boston, MA.

We will kick off Awareness Weekend with a patient education conference. At this conference, CFCF’s funded researchers will be coming together for the first time to speak to patients, donors and other interested parties to discuss the progress they are achieving and what work needs to be done to find a cure. At this time, Dr. Meyerson, Dr. Kulke, Dr. Shivdasani, Dr. Leiter and Dr. Choi are all confirmed guests!

After this informative session with our researchers, we will move onto the hip and luxurious members only Foundation Room at House of Blues, Boston. There we will host the first ever Boston Benefit for Carcinoid in order to raise money for a cure. All money raised at this event will fund Dr. Meyerson’s large-scale genome study of carcinoid.

I am also very pleased to announce that the Raymond and Beverly Sackler Fund for the Arts and Sciences will match all money raised on September 12th at the Boston Benefit! Even though the Patient Education Day is targeted primarily for patients and their families, I hope that others will join us for the afternoon sessions to learn about our funded researchers’ scientific work.

Please visit our website or call (617) 848-3977 for more information on this weekend; I hope to see you there!