In the early morning hours of Saturday, Aug. 20, Swim Across America (SAA) will launch approximately 150 swimmers of all ages into Long Island Sound from Morgan Park to swim and raise funds in the fight against cancer. Monies raised will benefit the MIRACLE Building of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center at Mercy Medical Center in Nassau County, and the Swim Across America Lab at MSKCC in NYC.

So come down to the beach at about 8 a.m. and cheer on these intrepid swimmers who will participate in either a one-mile swim or a 5K (3.1 mile) swim. For those swimmers who want to combine both fundraising and swimming challenges, a 10K swim is featured across LI Sound, beginning on the beach in Larchmont, and ending on the beach in Glen Cove.

Gerry Oakes, an SAA board member and chairman of SAA-NS, said, "By the very nature of where we live we have the means to utilize our pools and scenic waterways as fund-raising vehicles with enormous reach. All of our swimmers, kayakers, boaters, volunteers, host and corporate sponsors are partners in our efforts to make a difference in our Long Island community, fighting cancer. We are honored to be a part of the Mercy/MSKCC team that is creating the most comprehensive cancer outpatient facility on Long Island. We are excited at the prospect of presenting a substantial donation from our 2005 swims to Mercy/MSKCC, and creating a Swim Across America Center at the MIRACLE Building."

For more information on SAA and the Sound to the Cove event, visit www.swimacrossamerica.org. For additional information, please call Gerry Oakes at 848-1426, or e-mail, gerry@swimacrossamerica.org.

See you on the beach!