Swim Across America - Martha's Vineyard

04/22/2026

Our feature today is Moses Thomson.

"I’m a high school student at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School and a member of the swim team. Swimming is such a healthy athletic activity and is why I’m committed to it. Being able to use my swimming ability to help address a worldwide disease is an honor. 

I swim for my grandmother Susan Parker, my close friend and mentor Jay Grossman, my great aunts Ellie and Aiko and my great uncle Jonathan Hollander, my grandfather’s second wife DL Parker, and all the other people in my life who have been affected by this disease. I swim because it’s a small thing I can do to help a big problem; I swim because I know it is nothing compared to what my loved ones have gone through fighting cancer and if they can persevere, then I can swim for 30 minutes (hopefully faster!). 

Why Team Jay? Watching Jay battle cancer with such a positive mindset throughout the whole time is my inspiration. Through all the treatment, hospital visits, tests and challenges, Jay always is there in his chair with the biggest smile or peace sign when I visit. He makes it seem like such a little deal even though we all no its not. He has shown me so much strength and determination with makes me more than proud to swim on his team and honor everything about him. 

Thank you to all the people who have motivated me to swim and to everyone who is generously supporting our swim. All the money we raise is doing to go to Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.

Thank you for helping me ."

04/15/2026

Today for Wednesday we are sharing Matthew Macmillans story.

"Hi, I am Matthew Macmillan, a junior at Martha's Vineyard Regional High School and a member of the football, hockey, and baseball teams here. I live here on the island with my three sisters, one brother and my mom, Laura. 

In the summer of 2024, my mom Laura, a lifelong oncology nurse at Mass General Brigham Hospital, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. She underwent a double mastectomy surgery before receiving chemotherapy and radiation therapy all while supporting us, her five children — Emi (18), Matthew (17), Joy (14), Rosie (12), and Theo (11) — through it all.

During her treatment she relied on the cancer infusion center at the Martha's Vineyard Hospital for convenient availability to care. This was vital to her journey, being the mother of five children she needed to be close to home while she recovered. 

I am so inspired by her strength and happy to report she is cancer free. I swim for her, knowing it is going to help people who are also fighting cancer."

04/11/2026

Come to the MVH health fair today from 8-12!

03/23/2026

July 18th will be here before you know it! This is your friendly reminder to register now for just $50 before the self-donation registration fee raises to $75 on March 31st. Let's get fundraising!!

03/18/2026

Next up in our series is co-event director Zoe Trietman.

"I swim in memory of my grandmother, Leonora (Gummy) Conti. Gummy took care of my sister, me, and all of my cousins every day when I was little. She was the kindest, warmest person and always cared for others. When we were looking at pictures, we realized she had a baby in her arms in almost every one! I love her so much and I wish she were still here with us.

I have watched as many of my friends and community members have gone through treatment. I have seen what a difference local treatment can make. 

I have also been inspired by my grandfather, Rick Treitman. For as long as I can remember, he has spent each year training for his 160 mile bike ride to complete the Pan Mass Challenge, raising thousands of dollars for cancer research. 
Thank you for supporting this swim, we hope you will swim, volunteer, or support us."

03/11/2026

For today's we are highlighting our first Wavemaker (raised $1000+), Kathleen Hibbard - Lott. Kathleen has raised $4,255 so far! We are so grateful for your incredible fundraising and can't wait to swim with you!

"My decision to participate in Swim Across America - Martha’s Vineyard was an easy and immediate one; the Vineyard Gazette article describing the event and how it came into being had me signing up before I got to the end.

I personally cannot think of anyone whose life has not been affected by cancer; the dreaded word that knocks the wind out of our sails. In my lifetime, I am fortunate to have witnessed the advances in diagnosis, treatment, and patient care and know that continued funding is needed to keep improving all of these areas.

Reading the gazette article I was blown away and uplifted to know that this event was being spearheaded by two young high school women; they are an inspiration, and I want to do my part to help them reach their remarkable fundraising goal.

As I stated on my personal page I am swimming for countless (too many to name) family members and friends, and especially for my dear friend “Louise” who is facing, and battling, the terrifying diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. I swim in honor of all those whose lives have been changed, and lost by cancer in the hopes that continuing medical advancements will someday eliminate this word from our vocabulary and our lives.

If you know me you know I love to swim, so it is easy for me to do my part. I am deeply humbled for the support that I am receiving in my quest to help this noble cause. Cancer cannot shatter hope.

Let’s do this!
Kathy”

03/11/2026

Hands up for photoshoot Monday!!

Early registration ends March 31, register now for only $50!

03/04/2026

Consider this the start of our Wednesday series! During this series, we will share the stories of our participants and why they choose to swim. If you would like to be part of this series, DM us. First we are highlighting one of our event directors, Leah Thomson.

“I am choosing to swim because I have seen my loved ones — and other’s loved ones — deal with cancer and this is a small thing I can do to make their journey just a little bit easier. Whether it’s reducing the need to go to Boston, improving their quality of life, buying them more time, helping them beat cancer altogether, or just letting them know they aren’t in it alone, anything and everything we do will touch someone.

I was 4 years old when my grandmother, Susan Parker, got diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. I was young, but I vividly remember doing my baby math problems with my Grammy at her red counter. playing the piano together, raking leaves and so much more. As her body got weaker, I remember my pregnant mom taking trips off island to support her as she received treatment at Dana Farber in Boston. My brother Moses was 3 and I was 5 when our Grammy passed away, and tragically our little sister Taeko missed meeting her by 5 months. We lost one light, but Grammy left another bright one in her place ❤️.

I organize this swim not only for my Grammy, but for my Grampy's second wife DL, who took us all in. She was diagnosed with lung cancer last year but thankfully is recovering well. I also swim for my great uncle Jonathan, great aunt Ellie, and dear island friend Jay Grossman, who are all fighting their own cancer battles. We love you and are swimming for you all ❤️.

I swim because I know that the Marthas Vineyard community is capable of amazing things and I am so hopeful for the impact we can make this summer for those we love. Swimming is nothing compared to the challenges our loved ones with cancer face, but I swim because I can — and for those who can’t — and because, with your support, it will help make a significant impact on cancer care on island. I hope to see you all in Menemsha on July 18th! Thank you for helping me .”

03/03/2026

02/07/2026

We are so proud to join the Swim Across America family! Founded in 1987, SAA has partnered with local communities to raise over $120 million for breakthrough cancer research and support.

🏊‍♀️ 300 open water swims
🏊 100,000+ swimmers aged 5 to 92
🏊‍♂️3 times SAA swimmers have circumnavigated the Earth!
🏊‍♀️ 4 FDA-approved immunotherapy medicines (Yervoy, Opdivo, Tecentriq, and Keytruda) received initial grant funding from SAA
🏊‍♀️ 60+ grants funded by Swim Across American annually

02/04/2026

Today is a great day to support Swim Across America! Donate to our Swim Across America - MV event, for a team or an individual. In honor of World Cancer Day, all donations today are being matched dollar - for - dollar up to $20,000, thanks to a very generous supporter in the Swim Across America community.

02/04/2026

We are so excited to announce the inaugural Swim Across America - Martha's Vineyard Open Water Swim on July 18th!

Located at the beautiful Menemsha Beach in Chilmark, swimmers of all ages and skill levels are invited to participate in what will definitely be their most impactful swim of the year. Together we hope to raise over $100,000 which will go directly to support programs at Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.

For more information and to register, see the link below!

https://www.swimacrossamerica.org/site/TR?fr_id=8881&pg=entry