Visit The Swim Online at www.swimacrossthesound.org.

Sunset Sail Steers the Course for Breast Cancer Programs
More than 300 set sail aboard the Port Jefferson/Bridgeport ferry Oct. 1st on the third annual cruise to nowhere to benefit the Swim’s breast cancer programs.

The Swim supporters enjoyed heavy hors d’ouevres and refreshments as the ferry cruised Long Island Sound from 4-7 p.m. As the sun set into the Sound, many danced on the open deck to the rock sound of a live band. A psychic told the fortune of all comers who paid a small fee that was donated to the Swim. A silent auction and a raffle offering several items, ranging from a Swiss Army basket of watches to 2 airline tickets to fly anywhere in the U.S. also drew great support.

The cruise raised more than $35,000 that will benefit all Swim breast cancer programs. Kathy Young, chair of the Sunset Sail, was pleased with the great support. “I enjoy this event because everyone has such a great time, and it benefits a great cause,” Young said. “When you see everyone eating and dancing, it makes all the work worthwhile.”

The Sunset Sail was underwritten with the support of several major sponsors: Lexus of Westport, Toyota/Scion of Westport, Mechanical Contractors of Southwestern Connecticut, Bridgeport/Port Jefferson Steamboat Company, Sinoway, McEnery and Messey, and Connecticut Distributors. More than 30 local businesses and groups donated items for the silent auction and raffle.

Lexus of Westport & Toyota/Scion of Westport Offer Employee Discounts to Benefit the Swim
Lexus of Westport and Toyota/Scion of Westport appreciate the hard work and dedication of St. Vincent's Medical Center Swim in its fight against breast cancer. They are offering employee discounts to all St. Vincent’s employees (St. Vincent's Medical Center employee ID required) in the month of October.

If interested, call Anthony Micarelli or Bob Oshrin of Lexus of Westport at 203-255-1531 or Lonnie Edwards of Toyota/Scion of Westport at 227-4194 for an appointment. Lexus of Westport and Toyota/Scion of Westport have both made generous contributions to this year’s Swim.

In addition, Lexus of Westport will donate $50 for every car sold new or pre-owned to the Swim Across the Sound in October to benefit the Swim’s breast cancer programs.

Dr. Bernie Siegel To Deliver Keynote Address at Swim Breast Cancer Luncheon
Dr. Bernie Siegel, the renowned oncologist, bestselling author, and speaker, will deliver the keynote address at the 10th annual Swim Across the Sound Breast Cancer Luncheon Oct. 21st at the Holiday Inn in Bridgeport.

Since 1962, Dr. Siegel has served as a surgeon in private practice, and is also a clinical assistant professor of surgery at Yale University Medical School. His group therapy work with "Exceptional Cancer Patients" over the past decade has led to new findings about the symbolic and hidden aspects of terminal illness. Some of his many publications are Prescriptions for Living; How To Live Between Office Visits; Peace, Love and Healing; and Love, Medicine and Miracles. Siegel has been a guest on several national talk shows.

Dr. Siegel will autograph all his books bought at the luncheon. A portion of the sales will go to St. Vincent's Medical Center Breast Cancer programs.

The Swim will also honor St. Vincent's Medical Center oncology nurse Teresa Money-McLaughlin, R.N., MSN, ADCN for her outstanding work with cancer patients, directing Swim Across the Sound case management and all its support and education programs.

In 2004, the Breast Cancer Luncheon raised more than $200,000 and drew more than 500 people. Prior to the luncheon, there will be a silent auction of fine items, such as jewelry, gift certificates, and gift items. Co-chairs are Bridgeport City Attorney Barbara Massaro and Joyce Riccio, a Fairfield attorney.

Tickets are $50 and $100 per person, table sponsorships are also available. In addition, you can sponsor a Breast Cancer Luncheon rose bowl center piece to sponsor your business or honor a loved one. Rose Bowl sponsorships are $100 for one side, $200 for the entire bowl.

For more information, call St. Vincent's Foundation at 576-5451 or visit swimacrossthesound.org.

The Swim Presents the Circus for Children With Cancer & Other Chronic Diseases
Swim Across the Sound presented its annual old-fashioned circus for children with cancer and other chronic diseases in Fairfield County, featuring the Alain Zerbini Circus September 20th and 21st at Beardsley Park.

The Swim also presented a special evening showing September 20th evening for St. Vincent's Medical Center employees, and friends and supporters of the Swim. All shows were free to the invited audiences.

The more than 1,050 children enjoyed the show as well as a box lunch, snow cones, and cotton candy. Every child attending a day performance received a special commemorative T-shirt. The one ring circus featured clowns, high wire acts, trained dogs, amazing stunts, and daredevils.

Jan Williams of Captain’s Cove Named New Swim Across the Sound Co-Chair
St. Vincent's Medical Center Swim Across the Sound recently named Jan Williams of Captain’s Cove Seaport in Bridgeport and a prominent community activist, its new co-chair.

Williams joins Frank Scifo, M.D. of St. Vincent Medical Center, practicing in Stratford, who has been the co-chair for the last seven years of the cancer charity. Because of time constraints, WICC talk show host John LaBarca ends his tenure as co-chair, which he filled for the last four years. LaBarca was a valuable co-chair, promoting the Swim on his radio show and a driving force behind the annual WICC/Mohegan Sun Radiothon that runs for two days and raised $250,000 in 2005.

“John was a key part of the Swim,” said Ron Bianchi, President of the St. Vincent's Medical Center Foundation. “He helped us in so many ways through his show. We couldn’t have accomplished what we did without him. We also welcome Jan Williams who has tremendous drive and energy and will bring fresh ideas to the Swim. She has thrown open the doors of Captain’s Cove, which is the home to the Swim. We’re excited to work with Jan.”

Since the Cove’s inception in 1981, Williams along with several family members have operated the site, which is the home of several annual Swim events, such as the Swim Marathon and the Sikorsky Walk. Kay Williams, Jan’s father, was the founder of Captain’s Cove. She is involved in all aspects of the Cove, running the marina, restaurant, and shops, which are open from April to October, drawing approximately 400,000 people annually to the site on Bostwick Avenue.

Her goal as the new co-chair is to continue to promote the Swim so more cancer patients can take advantage of its services. She also would like to introduce the Sunset Walk and possibly add a new event, such as the Blessing of the Fleet in Black Rock Harbor.

“My goal is to continue the great work that has already been going since 1987 when the Swim began,” Williams said. “I want people to be aware how accessible the Swim is and how many people it helps. We need to continue to raise money, which allows us to offer services to more people since there’s such a growing demand. I’m proud to be part of this great organization and only hope to live up to the standards the co-chairs of the past set during their time.”

Williams is the co-founder of the annual Bluefish Tournament, which involves hundreds of fishermen from Connecticut and Long Island Sound. She is a life-long resident of Black Rock and married to Rob Burlinson, a tri-athlete who participates in Swim events.

Walkers Fall Into Step at the Sikorsky Walk
More than 700 walkers put their best feet forward at the Sikorsky Walk to Fight Women’s Cancers September 18th, raising a total of about $100,000 to benefit St. Vincent's Swim Across the Sound breast cancer programs.

Approximately 50 St. Vincent's Medical Center employees took part, including groups from the Radiology Department, Wellness Services, the Infusion Center, The Behavioral Health Team 9-East, and the administrative offices led by Susan Davis, R.N., PhD, President of St. Vincent's Medical Center and honorary co-chair of the Walk.

Stephen Finger, CEO of Sikorsky, also served as the honorary co-chair, and Beth Amato, Vice President of Human Resources at Sikorsky and Joe Racan, Teamster’s Local 1150 officer, chaired the event. Sikorsky management and representatives of Teamster’s Local 1150, rank and file workers of Sikorsky, also joined in the Walk.

Walkers began and ended at Captain’s Cove in Bridgeport, covering the scenic four-mile route along St. Mary’s By the Sea and through historic Black Rock. Many walkers formed teams and carried signs and wore personally designed T-shirts in memory of loved ones and friends who had passed from cancer. Radiology wore black T-shirts and white pants/shorts replicating an X-Ray, carrying a sign that said: “Radiology Walks for the Cure.”

Each registered walker received an event T-shirt and a box lunch. CounterPoint entertained the crowd with its big band sound on the dock of Captain’s Cove.

Get Lost in the Corn Maze and Support the Swim
Get lost in the corn maze at Plasko's Farm on Daniels Farm Rd in Trumbull and help Swim Across the Sound fight cancer.

The theme of this year's corn maze is The Great Pumpkin, with the words, “You're Lost” carved out of the corn stalks. Wind your way through the corn maze and see how long it takes to find your way out.

The entry fee is $7 for adults, $6 for children up to 10, and children under 3 are free. A portion of the proceeds will benefit St. Vincent's Medical Center Swim Across the Sound's 34 cancer support, education, screening and prevention programs.

The corn maze is open Fridays from 3 p.m. to dusk, and Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 10 a.m. to dusk every weekend through October. School classes and large groups are welcome. You can also build a scarecrow from scratch for $15 – all the fixings are provided including clothing. The scarecrow proceeds will also benefit the Swim. Don't forget Plasko's great gift shop filled with pies, muffins, cakes and gift items. For more information, call Plasko's, 268-2716.

St. Vincent’s Foundation Board Honors Five Members & Foundation Staff
St. Vincent’s Medical Center Foundation Board recently honored five board members and three Foundation staff for their outstanding service to Swim Across the Sound and all Foundation efforts.

The Foundation Board awarded plaques for outstanding service to Gerti Bargas of Trumbull, Dr. Frank Scifo of Trumbull, Chuck Mattes of Redding, Tom D’Addario of Shelton and Frank Morse of Easton.

Three of the Foundation’s staff members Debbie Cocce of Ansonia, Diane Cardoso of Shelton and Betty Moher of Seymour were also honored for their commitment and superior work for the Foundation, particularly Swim Across the Sound. Each of these ladies received an elegant Swiss Army watch.

Softball Tournament Benefits the Swim
The 1st Annual Fraternal Order of Police and Fire Department Tournament slugged a home run September 17th, at Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field in Stratford to benefit the Swim.

Teams from the Bridgeport Police Department, Bridgeport Fire Department, Wal-Mart of Stratford and Lodge 29 State Marshals squared off in the slow pitch softball double-elimination tournament. The tournament raised more than $1,200 to benefit Swim programs.

Admission was $2 per person with the proceeds, benefiting the Swim’s 34 cancer support, education, screening, and prevention programs. Frank DeLuca and Philip Bellow and Vito Savo, both state marshals, co-chaired the event. The Bridgeport Umpire’s Association donated its services for the day.

“I like to do what I can to help the Swim,” DeLuca said. “I thought we could use the softball field to raise funds for the Swim. We all know someone who has received help from the Swim.”

The Swim and Fitness Edge Spin Towards Success
Swim Across the Sound teamed with The Fitness Edge to get in shape and raise pledges to fight cancer at the “Spin Under the Stars” August 6th from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Fairfield Fitness Edge. The inside and outside of the gym was transformed into a cyclists paradise, as adults and children of all ages from Fairfield county pedaled to raise money to fight cancer.

Over 75 people mounted spinning bikes under a star-lit sky to spin for a demanding two hours while accompanied by music. Christian Carbonara, Marketing Director at Fitness Edge, said the event continues to grow in popularity each other, raising approximately $3,000 to benefit the Swim’s cancer education, screening, prevention and support programs.

The Fitness Edge has been involved with the Swim since 2002 and hosts several events, such as “Yoga on the Beach” to raise donations for the Swim and promote well being. Carbonara simply describes the Spin Under the Stars as intense. “The physical efforts of spinners is moving and makes this event unforgettable,” he said.

Swim Raffling Hot Sports Car
The Swim is selling raffle tickets for the 2006 hot Pontiac Solstice sports car. The two-seater charcoal gray roadster is one of the hottest cars to hit the market. Tickets are available in the Medical Center Seton Gift Shop, St. Vincent’s Foundation, and at all Swim events.

Tickets are $20 with the winning ticket being drawn February 8th at the Swim Celebrity Breakfast in the Holiday Inn. Only 2,750 tickets will be sold. Proceeds will benefit the Swim and the D’Addario Hypertension Program at St. Vincent’s. The sports car is donated by Mario D’Addario – Buick, Pontiac, Nissan, GMC and William B. Meyer Inc.

The Swim Paper Sunflower: Symbol of Hope
Swim Across the Sound has recently introduced the Swim Sunflower. This bright and beautiful paper flower symbolizes the spirit of hope and life.

“There When You Need It” is printed in the center of the sunflower, below the Swim logo. The vivid yellow petal design gives the sunflower a realistic and unique look. If you purchase a flower, each donation represents a ray of hope in the fight against cancer.

The paper Sunflower is sold at Swim events as well as local retailers and offices throughout Fairfield County. For a donation of $1, you can purchase a sunflower to support the Swim’s 34 cancer awareness, support, prevention and education programs. The Swim Sunflowers will be hung at various events. For more information about the Swim and the new sunflower, please call 576-5451. Let the Swim Sunflower light up your life, because everyone knows someone.

Shop at the Swim e-Store
Get into the Swim Across the Sound. Show your support by wearing a Swim hat, sweatshirt or golf shirt, display a Swim pink cancer ribbon on your car or stay dry in the rain with a Swim umbrella.

You can get any of these items and more at the new Swim e-Store on the Swim website, http://stvswim.promoshop.com. View all the images of the available items and purchase any online with a credit card on the secured site. It’s quick and easy and we will ship it to you.

You can shop in the comfort of your home to purchase a gift for a loved one, a cancer survivor or yourself. For holiday shopping, remember the Swim e-Store, open 24/7.

All purchases support the Swim’s 34 cancer support, education and prevention programs and help cancer patients and their families. Help the Swim turn the tide against cancer.

LOOKING AHEAD...:

Swiss Army Warehouse Sale Is Coming
The Swim Army Warehouse Sale is coming November 4-6 at Trumbull High School. Take advantage of warehouse prices on watches, cutlery, binoculars, and clothing.

Stock up on holiday presents, and help support the Swim, which receives a portion of the gross sales. Visit the Swim website for a listing of times.

Swiss Army Breakfast Honors Cancer Survivors
The Swiss Army Cancer Survivor Breakfast will take place Nov. 11th at the Holiday Inn in Bridgeport. The breakfast will honor 500 cancer survivors who are winning their battle with the disease.

Swiss Army President Sue Rechner will present a watch to each cancer survivor attending the event that symbolizes how precious time is to everyone. John Plasko, owner of Plasko’s Farm, will underwrite the cost of the breakfast. To reserve a spot at the breakfast, call St. Vincent's Medical Center Foundation at 203-576-5451. Seating is limited.

Get a Front Row Seat at the Sports Gala
Swim Across the Sound Sports Gala to benefit local police, State Police, firefighters & EMS (both commercial and volunteer) and their families throughout Connecticut will step to the plate December 8th at the Omni Hotel in New Haven.

Former Mets Manager and Swim Honorary Co-Chair Bobby Valentine will serve as the MC for the evening that will feature silent and live auctions of unique sports memorabilia. Silent auction starts at 6 p.m. with dinner to follow.

Come and meet Connecticut professional and amateur athletes, who are helping the Swim raise funds to help all first responders throughout the state. Tickets are $75 per person. For more information, call St. Vincent’s Foundation, 203-576-5451.

Walk the Walk, Talk the Talk
The Swim welcomes new volunteers who want to make a difference in their community and the lives of cancer patients. All you need is compassion. To volunteer, call St. Vincent’s Foundation – 576-5451 or visit the Swim website, www.swimacrossthesound.org.

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.

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.