Bridgeport, CT, October 8, 2009 - On October 10, 2009, Clayton Tebbetts, physician recruiter at St. Vincent's Medical Center, will be participating in the Ford Ironman World Championship Triathlon in Kona, Hawaii. It is a privilege for anyone to participate in such an event. Tens-of-thousands of triathletes try to qualify for the race each year and only 1,800 are accepted. Tebbetts was among the only 150 who were selected through a lottery system and will thus get to test himself in one of the most challenging sports the world has to offer. The Ironman is 2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles of biking, and a 26.2-mile marathon run through tough ocean waves, and challenging lava-covered terrain.
To make this endeavor even more meaningful, Tebbetts has decided to use the opportunity to help raise money and awareness for St. Vincent's SWIM Across the Sound. With support from the community, he hopes to reach a goal of raising $10,000.
St. Vincent's SWIM Across the Sound was inspired by people whose lives had been touched by cancer and who were determined to turn that experience into positive, proactive steps to help others. Since 1987, the SWIM has developed and grown over the years from one 25 kilometer marathon swim into more than 35 events annually that raise funds for cancer screening, prevention programs and financial assistance for cancer patients and their families.
For 22 years, the SWIM has been there for cancer patients right here in our community, fulfilling the needs that health insurance doesn't cover. The SWIM provides wigs, prostheses, medication assistance, transportation to and from treatments and appointments, daycare scholarships, yoga, numerous support groups and much more. On a case-by-case basis, the SWIM also provides financial assistance to individual cancer patients, subsidizing rent, mortgages, utility bills and more to help them and their families persevere through one of the most challenging times in their lives.
Tebbetts has competed in a number of Ironman triathlons, but this is the first time he has raced in Hawaii, where weather and terrain will create additional challenges. "I know that this will be an extremely long and difficult day, but not nearly as difficult as the battle that cancer patients face. Thinking about their hardships will motivate me to complete this challenge," Tebbetts said.
Everyone knows someone whose life has been affected by cancer, and through the SWIM everyone can help. Please support Clay Tebbetts by making a donation to St. Vincent's SWIM Across the Sound.
To make a donation, please make a check out to St. Vincent's Medical Center Foundation and mail it to St. Vincent's Medical Center Foundation at 2800 Main Street, Bridgeport, CT 06606 or click on this link to donate online at https://give.stvincents.org/Ironman
Media Inquiries: Kristin Jones at (203) 576-6431 or krjones@stvincents.org
