Catalina For A Cure
Donation protected
Hello family and friends,
I come to you asking for your support. I want to raise money and awareness to support pancreatic cancer research, patient care, advocacy and more. This is a lofty goal, which will take lofty ambition. So, my lofty ambition is that I will attempt to complete one of the toughest open water swims: The Catalina Channel as a SOLO Swimmer - wearing only a bathing suit, swim cap, and goggles. This swim is considered one of the most challenging swims because of five factors: DISTANCE (22 miles – from Catalina Island to Palos Verdes, California), WATER TEMP (58-72 degrees), NAUSEA (2-hour boat ride even before the swim starts and rough seas – oh, and I get seasick!), MIDNIGHT START (yes, swimming in the dark), and the CURRENTS (very unpredictable and can make for a longer swim). From 1927 to date, only 450 people have successfully completed this solo swim. (www.swimcatalina.org).
This past Mother’s Day marked 10 years since my mother, Patricia A. Griffin, succumbed to her battle with pancreatic cancer. So, in her honor, I will be swimming the Catalina Channel on her birthday, August 24. It will be extremely challenging, and it will be the hardest 35 weeks of training of my life, with cold open water training swims, hours and hours at the pool and gym, and testing my body and mind further than it’s been tested before. But it all pales in comparison to the challenges of those battling pancreatic cancer.
So, my goal is simple. For each mile I swim, I want to raise $1,000. And I expect to finish all 22 miles! 100% of all donations (minus any fees charged by YouCaring/GoFundMe and the boat rental fees) will directly and equally benefit three amazing organizations that I have chosen to support in honor of Patricia A. Griffin:
THE HIRSHBERG FOUNDATION: Founded in 1997, the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing pancreatic cancer research, and providing information, resources, and support to pancreatic cancer patients and their families. I am proud to say that they have helped my friend’s father put up one of the best fights against this disease that I have seen, and he is currently in remission. (www.pancreatic.org)
MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENTER: MSKCC is the world’s oldest and largest private cancer center. It has devoted more than 130 years to exceptional patient care, innovative research, and outstanding educational programs. It also was the unofficial home, or Chateau de Sloan as I refer to it, for my mom during all her treatments. It has also been the home away from home for the countless other families who have battled and are still battling cancer. (www.mskcc.org)·
PANCREATIC CANCER ACTION NETWORK: Founded in 1999, PanCan is dedicated to fighting the world’s toughest cancer. In its urgent mission to save lives, they attack pancreatic cancer on all fronts: research, clinical initiatives, patient services and advocacy. Their efforts are amplified by a nationwide network of grassroots support. They are determined to improve patient outcomes today and to double survival by 2020. (www.pancan.org)
So, please join me for “Catalina for a Cure.” Please know that your financial support will fuel each and every stroke I take, motivating me the entire way. You are all holding me afloat!
I thank you in advance for any amount that you send my way. I cannot express how much your donations and supporting words mean to me during my endeavor.
LET’S CURE CANCER!
Rachel
PS...
Follow along at www.facebook.com/CatalinaForACure
"Catalina for a Cure" will also be a documentary to highlight the entire experience.
Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Swimming, swimming, swimming. - Dory (Finding Nemo)
I come to you asking for your support. I want to raise money and awareness to support pancreatic cancer research, patient care, advocacy and more. This is a lofty goal, which will take lofty ambition. So, my lofty ambition is that I will attempt to complete one of the toughest open water swims: The Catalina Channel as a SOLO Swimmer - wearing only a bathing suit, swim cap, and goggles. This swim is considered one of the most challenging swims because of five factors: DISTANCE (22 miles – from Catalina Island to Palos Verdes, California), WATER TEMP (58-72 degrees), NAUSEA (2-hour boat ride even before the swim starts and rough seas – oh, and I get seasick!), MIDNIGHT START (yes, swimming in the dark), and the CURRENTS (very unpredictable and can make for a longer swim). From 1927 to date, only 450 people have successfully completed this solo swim. (www.swimcatalina.org).
This past Mother’s Day marked 10 years since my mother, Patricia A. Griffin, succumbed to her battle with pancreatic cancer. So, in her honor, I will be swimming the Catalina Channel on her birthday, August 24. It will be extremely challenging, and it will be the hardest 35 weeks of training of my life, with cold open water training swims, hours and hours at the pool and gym, and testing my body and mind further than it’s been tested before. But it all pales in comparison to the challenges of those battling pancreatic cancer.
So, my goal is simple. For each mile I swim, I want to raise $1,000. And I expect to finish all 22 miles! 100% of all donations (minus any fees charged by YouCaring/GoFundMe and the boat rental fees) will directly and equally benefit three amazing organizations that I have chosen to support in honor of Patricia A. Griffin:
THE HIRSHBERG FOUNDATION: Founded in 1997, the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing pancreatic cancer research, and providing information, resources, and support to pancreatic cancer patients and their families. I am proud to say that they have helped my friend’s father put up one of the best fights against this disease that I have seen, and he is currently in remission. (www.pancreatic.org)
MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENTER: MSKCC is the world’s oldest and largest private cancer center. It has devoted more than 130 years to exceptional patient care, innovative research, and outstanding educational programs. It also was the unofficial home, or Chateau de Sloan as I refer to it, for my mom during all her treatments. It has also been the home away from home for the countless other families who have battled and are still battling cancer. (www.mskcc.org)·
PANCREATIC CANCER ACTION NETWORK: Founded in 1999, PanCan is dedicated to fighting the world’s toughest cancer. In its urgent mission to save lives, they attack pancreatic cancer on all fronts: research, clinical initiatives, patient services and advocacy. Their efforts are amplified by a nationwide network of grassroots support. They are determined to improve patient outcomes today and to double survival by 2020. (www.pancan.org)
So, please join me for “Catalina for a Cure.” Please know that your financial support will fuel each and every stroke I take, motivating me the entire way. You are all holding me afloat!
I thank you in advance for any amount that you send my way. I cannot express how much your donations and supporting words mean to me during my endeavor.
LET’S CURE CANCER!
Rachel
PS...
Follow along at www.facebook.com/CatalinaForACure
"Catalina for a Cure" will also be a documentary to highlight the entire experience.
Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Swimming, swimming, swimming. - Dory (Finding Nemo)
Organizer
Rachel Griffin
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA