~ Happy Holidays from the Swim! ~

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Greg Marty Named Swim Volunteer of the Year - See the event photos online »
Swim Across the Sound honored Greg Marty of Shelton as its Volunteer of the Year Nov. 17th at a special reception at the Barnum Museum in downtown Bridgeport.

More than 200 invited volunteers and sponsors attended the festivities and applauded Marty who received a framed print of Captain’s Cove in Bridgeport, the home of the Swim Marathon. Tom Casey of Shelton was also presented with a framed print of Captain’s Cove for being named the 2003 Swim Volunteer of the Year. The Volunteer Recognition Reception was not held last year because of challenging economic times at St. Vincent’s Medical Center.

Swim Co-Chairs Frank Scifo, M.D. and WICC personality John LaBarca received Swiss Army watches in recognition of their leadership in helping the Swim raise $2.5 million in 2004. Every volunteer or sponsor representatives received a clock with a Swim logo.

Smeraglino’s provided the food and Tony Riccio entertained the audience with his renditions of Frank Sinatra tunes and other pop classics.

Marty has been an outstanding volunteer since 1991 – embodying the mission of the Swim. He quietly pitches in at several Swim events, no matter what’s asked of him.

Often you will see him handling the accounting at a fundraising event in a backroom. A Financial Manager for Unilever, he never asks for accolades or special considerations. When there’s a job to do, Marty rolls up his sleeves and gets it done – even if it’s toting boxes or selling the Swim paper fish. Through his work, he was instrumental in Unilever’s sponsoring the Swim’s Teen Smoke Stoppers Program and the Women’s Walk. In addition, Unilever has donated a great deal of product for goodie bags at various Swim events.

The father of two children, Michelle, 3, and Matthew, 7 months, Marty always rolls with the demands of a Swim event, committing long hours and a great deal of effort. Sue Romano, a 2001 Swim Volunteer of the Year, joined the Swim about the same time as Marty and describes him as the ideal volunteer, who commits himself for “all the right reasons.”

Working for cancer patients and their families hit home for Marty five years ago when Loretta, his wife, was diagnosed with cancer. She is in full remission and good health.

Swiss Army Presents $40,000 Donation at Cancer Survivor Breakfast - See the event photos online »
The annual Swim Cancer Survivor’s Breakfast sponsored by Swiss Army Brands honored more than 400 cancer survivors Nov. 10th at the Holiday Inn in Bridgeport.

Swiss Army President/CEO Sue Rechner also presented the Swim with a check for $40,000, which was the portion of the proceeds raised by Swiss Army Brands during its warehouse sale Nov. 5-7 at Trumbull High School.

The sixth annual Cancer Survivor Breakfast recognized area residents living with cancer who received a watch courtesy of Swiss Army Brands that is a symbol of how precious time is for everyone.

Swiss Army CEO Sue Rechner reaffirmed how committed Swiss Army is to the Swim’s cancer prevention efforts. She said that Swiss Army Brands is proud to recognize cancer survivors for their courage. Rechner and St. Vincent's Medical Center President Susan Davis handed out Swiss Army watches to all the female cancer survivors at the breakfast, while Swim Co-Chair Frank Scifo, M.D. and Ron Bianchi, President of St. Vincent's Medical Center Foundation, distributed watches to the male cancer survivors.

“People with cancer can never look at life the same way,” said Rechner. “We think it’s important to recognize people who have persevered and survived cancer.”

Diane Cotting, a cancer survivor and the keynote speaker, told the audience about her struggle to recover from cancer and become an advocate for post-care cancer treatment programs.

Cotting had been the member of the Style Driven Rowing Club of Boston for five years when she learned she had cancer. She endured nine surgeries in nine months and four rounds of chemotherapy.

“I’m here to show you [cancer survivors] that there’s life after battling your disease,” Cotting said. “We are all part of a large family, and it’s empowering to know that we’re in this together.”

During her post cancer care, Cotting founded the Cotting Companies, a non-profit organization. Starting as advocates for post cancer care system. Cotting Companies has grown into an organization that encourages advocacy, promotes inspirational stories and offers upbeat accessories (the Cotting Collection).

Her crew team was the subject of a documentary, “The One in Nine,” in which all members in the boat are cancer survivors. Cotting has dedicated her efforts to empower cancer survivors and their families.

Christina Somerville, a secretary at St. Vincent's Medical Center, inspired the crowd with her moving rendition of “Winds Beneath My Wings.” John Plasko, owner of Plasko’s Farms in Trumbull, covered the expense of the food for the breakfast for the third consecutive year.

Lexus of Westport Hits High Gear for the Swim
Pinky Markey, Fixed Operations Manager of Lexus of Westport and her father Robert Crabtree, owner of Lexus of Westport, recently presented the Swim with an $8,100 check to support its breast cancer programs.

Lexus of Westport also located in Fairfield at Kings Highway Cutoff donated $50 to the Swim for every new and pre-owned car sold during October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Lexus of Westport also handed out Swim pink magnetized ribbons to every customer visiting their locations during October.

“The Swim is a great cause that we fully support,” Markey said. “It serves a great need in the community which we’re proud to support.”

Lexus of Westport also was a major sponsor of the Swim Sunset Sail, chaired by Kathy Young of Fairfield.

“The Swim has developed a great relationship with Lexus of Westport,” Young said. “The entire car dealership stands behind the cause and stepped up to support it.”

Madison Jewelers: A Jewel for the Swim
Madison Jewelers, 2261 Black Rock Turnpike in Fairfield, celebrated 65 years in business with its third annual cocktail party and jewelry sale to benefit the Swim.

The Swim receives a portion of all sales during Nov. 11-13, which totaled $5,000, earmarked for breast cancer programs. Madison Jewelers celebrated the sale with a champagne reception for 150 people, featuring Greg Ruth, jewelry designer.

Tom Losonci, owner of Madison Jewelers, supports the Swim because of its responsiveness to the needs of the community.

“I’ve had brushes with cancer in my family,” Losonci said. “I feel this is our way of giving back to the community that has been so good to my family. The Swim does a great job with cancer patients in the community.”

Fairfield University Women’s Basketball Team Fast Breaks for the Swim
The Fairfield University Women’s basketball team tipped off the 2004-2005 season November 19th at the Arena at Harbor Yard in the Coca Cola Challenge Women’s Tournament to benefit Swim Across the Sound.

The Stags took on Harvard in the second game of the doubleheader while Quinnipiac played Hofstra in the opener. Swim supporters purchased specially priced tickets for $5 for the doubleheader. Fitness Edge with six exercise facilities throughout Fairfield County and Milford sponsored the reduced price tickets through a gift to the Swim. The game was played to honor the Swim and all cancer survivors.

The Stags promise to have another strong season with three of its five top scorers returning, including last year’s leading scorer Janelle McManus. Norwalk’s Cathy Dash, the Stags leading rebounder last year and one of the strongest players in the MAAC, also returns. Four new recruits make Fairfield a strong contender for the league title.

Car Raffle Puts the Pedal to the Metal
Take a chance on a 2005 Nissan Altima 2.5 SL and benefit the Swim and the D’Addario Hypertension Program at St. Vincent's Medical Center.

Tickets are $25 on the luxurious smoke gray, fully loaded Altima with a maximum of 2,800 tickets sold.

For the third consecutive year, the car is donated by: Tom D’Addario of Mario D’Addario Buick, Pontiac, Nissan, GMC and Chuck Mattes of William B. Meyer, Inc. The drawing will take place at the Swim Celebrity Breakfast February 16, 2005 at the Holiday Inn in Bridgeport.

Displaying the Pink Ribbon on Your Car
Swim Across the Sound is helping to raise breast cancer awareness on the area roads with pink magnetized ribbons to display on your car.

The Swim is selling the attractive magnetized ribbons with the Swim logo and catch phrase: “Turning the Tide Against Cancer” for $3.

You can show your support for all the Swim breast cancer programs by purchasing one.

They also make great gifts for friends and family members.

To purchase your Swim pink magnetized ribbon; call St. Vincent's Medical Center Foundation at 203-576-5451.

Sound Tigers Team With Swim Across the Sound
If you’re hungry for hockey, catch a Sound Tigers game December 3rd or 4th at help support Swim Across the Sound.

The Sound Tigers are offering specially discounted tickets for St. Vincent's Medical Center employees: $19.50 for center ice, $12.50 Anywhere Else, $10 for kids.
The Sound Tigers will take on Wilkes-Barre Scranton on Dec. 3rd at 7:35 p.m. and the Carolina Hurricanes Dec. 4th at 7:05 p.m. at the Arena at Harbor Yard.

In addition, Steiner Sports Memorabilia will host a silent auction of exciting sports memorabilia during each game with a percentage of proceeds benefiting the Swim.

St. Vincent’s employees can show their badges at the ticket booth to take advantage of the reduced prices or for advanced ticket sales call the Sound Tigers box office at 203-333-GOAL. For more information call St. Vincent’s Foundation at 203-576-5451.

Celebrate the Holidays With the 2004 Swim Collectible Holiday Ornament
Add a festive flair to your holidays with the Swim Across the Sound third collectible, engraved holiday ornament.

The high-quality gold metallic ornament depicts pink interlocking Breast Cancer ribbons on a brushed gold facing that remind us of the Swim’s commitment to help and support breast cancer patients and their families.

The ornament, designed by Artist Andrea Lynn McKeen, formerly of Stratford, cost $15 and benefits the Swim’s breast cancer programs. To place your order, please call the St. Vincent's Foundation at 203-576-5451.

Plasko’s Farms Creates Gift Baskets to Benefit the Swim
Plasko’s Farms, 670 Daniels Farm Rd, Trumbull, features beautiful and tasty gift baskets for special occasions and holidays and a portion of every one sold will benefit Swim Across the Sound.

Build your own baskets with cookies, jams, jellies and preserves, breads and pancake mixes, fruit and candy for that special someone.

Baskets range between $25-$50 with a portion benefiting cancer patients and their families through the Swim based at St. Vincent’s Medical Center, Bridgeport.

Baskets are custom made with the appropriate colors of the season or occasion and wrapped with colorful bows.

Plasko’s also hosted the corn maze this fall at Plasko’s with a portion of the admission charge also benefiting the Swim.

John Plasko, owner of Plasko’s Farm, has committed his support to the Swim because it meets so many needs in the community. “We think the Swim is a great cause,” Plasko said. “I’ve seen the good work it does, helping members of the community. I’m proud to be associated with it.”

Inspirational Writing
The Swim newsletter has a new feature of an inspirational writing that touches on the mission of the Swim. Your writing will also appear on the Swim's website!

We welcome all cancer survivors or supporters of the Swim to submit a poem, essay or reflective piece for consideration for publication. Send all writings to sziborg@aol.com. SUBMIT YOUR WRITING TODAY!

Remember the Swim
Of all the worthwhile causes, few meet the work the Swim does in helping others. There are many ways to help the Swim:

• Donate to Swim events;
• Participate in Swim events;
• Name the Swim in your will;
• Donate a planned income gift;
• Volunteer;
• Run your own Swim fundraiser.

For more information, call the Swim Foundation at 203-576-5451.

UPCOMING EVENTS

February 16, 2005
Celebrity Breakfast
Holiday Inn, Bridgeport

St. Vincent's Medical Center's Swim Across the Sound is turning the tide against cancer.

The Swim has a unique mission to help cancer patients in need. The Swim raised $2.5 million in 2003 and helped 18,000 cancer survivors and their families throughout Southern Connecticut.

This is not a research program, but a charitable foundation dedicated to helping people on a case-by-case basis. The Swim has grown into a series of year-round activities focused on raising funds to underwrite 34 cancer education, screening and support group programs.