Olympian Missy Franklin Brings Swim Across America To Nashville

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Missy Franklin (L) with the Swim Across America team. Photo: Courtesy of Swim Across America

Swim Across America (SAA) is coming to Nashville for the first time ever with the help of five-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer Missy Franklin on April 23.

SAA is dedicated to raising money and awareness for cancer research, prevention and treatment through swimming-related events. With the help of hundreds of volunteers nationwide, as well as past and current Olympians, Swim Across America is helping find a cure for cancer through athleticism, community outreach and direct service.

“Having Missy be a part of our team organizing this inaugural event in Nashville has been so helpful,” says Chris McPhearson, the Nashville SAA event director. “We are really excited to bring Swim Across America to Nashville and have already gotten a great response from local Nashville residents who want to help #makewaves to #fightcancer.”

Funds raised by Swim Across America at the Nashville event will go directly to support cancer research at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. Vanderbilt-Ingram is an inclusive, collaborative, interdisciplinary cancer research community with more than 280 members dedicated to advancing discoveries in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for both adult and pediatric cancers.

Photo: Courtesy of Save Across America.

“I’m beyond excited to be part of the inaugural swim in Nashville that will raise much-needed funds for crucial cancer research,” says Franklin. “Working with the local event director Chris McPherson has been great. Chis is passionate about finding better ways to treat cancer and to doing that by bringing Swim Across America to Nashville. It’s going to be a really fun, inspirational day!”

The Swim Across America Nashville event will be a team relay charity swim held Saturday, April 23 at the Ensworth Natatorium, Frist Campus. Registration is a $50 self-donation with all proceeds benefitting the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. Those interested in participating can register at swimacrossamerica.org/nashville.

Swim Across America was founded in 1987 by Matt Vossler and his lifelong friend and college roommate Jeff Keith, who is a cancer survivor. Throughout its years, SAA has raised $100 million in the fight against cancer. More than 150 Olympians support SAA, including Franklin, Michael Phelps, Craig Beardsley, Donna De Varona, Rowdy Gaines, Janel Jorgensen McArdle, Bobby Hackett, Ryan Lochte, Glenn Mills, Elizabeth Beisel, Jenny Thompson, Cristina Teuscher and more.

Steven Boero
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