print this pageSwim A Mile For Women With Cancer
Why Swim A Mile for Women with Cancer?
- In 2008, an estimated 14,965 people who reside in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin and San Francisco counties alone will be diagnosed with cancer.*
- Nearly one out of every two Californians born today will develop cancer at some point in his or her life, and it is likely that one in five persons will die of the disease.*
- Cancer affects not only the individual; it affects family members and our communities. Cancer affects ALL OF US.
- 75% of all WCRC resources are dedicated to program support for women dealing with cancer.
- All WCRC services are provided for FREE.
*California Cancer Facts & Figures 2008
You Can Make a Difference by Swimming A Mile for Women With Cancer
Join an estimated 500 men, women and children who will swim at the WCRC's Swim A Mile for Women with Cancer on October 4 & 5, 2008, at Mills College. Register to swim!
Anybody can swim and any distance can be swum. From 1 lap to 36 laps (1 mile), we'll be cheering for you. And, if you’re not a swimmer, you have the option of water walking.
All swimmers are asked to raise $250 in pledges. Families are asked to raise $500 per family in pledges. As there are limited spots for this important fundraising event, any shortfall of the $250 per swimmer (or $500 per family) fundraising requirement will be auto-debited on November 7, 2008, from the credit card account given at registration. Your credit card is not charged unless you have not reached your minimum by the final fundraising deadline, November 7, 2008.
You can raise pledges online (each swimmer will be able to access his or her personalized online pledge form that sponsors can donate directly to) or in person, and we will give you the tools and support to reach your fundraising goal!
You bring: paddles, buoys, fins, kickboards, goggles, family and friends.
We'll bring: cheering toys, food, beverages, great music, swim caps, raffle prizes and an energized, fun and supportive environment.
Swimming Changes Lives!
Its fun, it's easy, and you will be helping the thousands of women with cancer and their families who use the support services offered at the WCRC each year.
During the past 22 years, the WCRC has served 65,000 women and their families The mission of WCRC is to empower women with cancer to be active and informed consumers and survivors; to provide community for women with cancer and their supporters; to educate the general community about cancer; and to be actively involved in the struggle for a life-affirming, cancer-free society. All WCRC services are provided for free and 75% of all WCRC resources are dedicated to program support for women dealing with cancer.
Since 1995, more than 5,000 swimmers have participated in Swim A Mile and helped raise $1.91 million to help local women with cancer and their families. Register to Swim!
What Is it Like to Swim?
The Swim a Mile is a non-competitive event AND an incredibly supportive, energetic and positive environment.
Please arrive at the Swim A Mile 30- 45 minutes prior to your scheduled swim time. You will go through a series of registration steps that include registration, picking up your goodie bag, signing a waiver, and of course making an Honor Card (a sacred art project in which swimmers are invited to decorate a piece of fabric or paper to commemorate the person or persons that they are swimming in honor or in memory of. Feel free to bring copies of pictures or anything you wish to include on your Honor Card).
As your swim time approaches we ask that you change into your bathing attire and be completely ready to swim (goggles and swim cap in hand, kickboard under your arm, etc.) prior to reporting to the Lane Director (she’ll be wearing a weird hat or some strange clothing – you can’t miss her). Please know that the Lane Director may ask you to swim with up to three other people in your lane. We do our best to assign swimmers with similar swim speeds (fast, medium or slow) to the same lane. If you would like to swim in the same lane with friends or family, make that request to the Lane Director when you check in with her, but this may mean that your group will have to negotiate your different swim speeds.
The Mills College pool is 25 yards long, and one mile is equal to 36 laps or 72 lengths. If you are a fast swimmer, you can expect that it will take you 30 minutes or less to complete your mile. If you are a medium-speed swimmer, expect that it will take you 30 to 45 minutes, and if you are a slower-speed swimmer, it will take you over 45 minutes. The pool is chlorinated and heated to 81°F.
When you are finished swimming you can sign up for complimentary body work, groove to the sounds of our DJ, and partake in free organic and healthy food for you and your loved ones. Be sure to cheer on your fellow swimmers (we’ll have plenty of cheerleading supplies available). This is also a good time to check out the WCRC booth and test your cancer knowledge, purchase a Swim A Mile t-shirt or hat (if you haven’t already) and check out organizations that are tabling at the event (you might want to bring some spending money).
