Bethamy Aronow

It is July...and now my 20th year to participate in Swim Across the Sound. This is my annual swim to support St. Vincent's Hospital swimming from Port Jefferson, NY to Bridgeport, CT.

I am excited to report that my oldest sister, Torey, will be joining the relay, the HIGH ROLLERS. She has never taken on a physical endeavor this big. She is truly a pool swimmer and is jumping way out of her comfort zone. I am excited to include her and swim with her and in honor of her. We have a few other newcomers to the relay and I am happy to extend the reach of this charity swim.

The world is still as chaotic as ever and cancer continues to upend people's lives. The need is ever present to help those with old and new diagnoses.

Our team is the HIGH ROLLERS for the swells and waves we will conquer as we fight to swim across. We hope to be able to support as many patients and families as we can. The money that we raise from the Swim Across the Sound goes to support many functions. There are free cancer screenings for the uninsured and under-insured, rides to appointments, and other things like rent support and wigs when necessary.

If you know of anyone who has been through this and you've seen the toll it takes even for those with all the family support and financial resources in the world, you can imagine what these bits of help mean to those who need them.

As a sister, a mother, a doctor, and a swimmer, the Swim Across the Sound gives me motivation and meaning. I hope you will support our swim this year.