<< Back

From Seeing to Needing: Milford Resident Taps Into Swim Across the Sound Resources

March 29, 2023

Bruce, a Milford resident who received treatment for his cancer at St. Vincent’s Medical Center, first learned about the Swim Across the Sound Marathon when he saw an advertisement for the event at Captain’s Cove several years ago.

“I was familiar with Swim Across the Sound,” says Bruce. “But it wasn’t until my own cancer diagnosis that I began to look into what services and support this event was helping to make possible for people in my situation.”

The annual 15.5-mile swim across Long Island Sound raises funds to help people like Bruce, and their families, who are struggling with a cancer diagnosis.

Each year, swimmers take to the waters of the Sound in the early morning hours from the beach in Port Jefferson, NY. They make their way to the finish line at Captain’s Cove Seaport in Bridgeport, CT, later that day. Friends, family members and the general public gather at “The Cove” to cheer the swimmers in. This year, the marathon, and subsequent celebration will take place on Saturday, July 29.

The event, now in its 36th year, has become a summer favorite for Fairfield County residents and is expected to be bigger than ever this year, with Hartford HealthCare encouraging statewide participation and attendance.

The money raised from the Swim Across the Sound Marathon and other year-round fundraising efforts by St. Vincent’s Philanthropy, go directly to cancer patients and their families, regardless of where they choose to have their treatment. A cancer diagnosis can put a tremendous financial burden on these families and Swim Across the Sound can help ease some of those burdens so they can focus on their health and healing.

Bruce explains how Swim Across the Sound helped during his treatment. “Not only did they provide me with some much needed Stop & Shop gift certificates, they paid all of my utility bills for months!” That sort of relief can make a big difference for someone struggling to keep their head above water while dealing with cancer.

While we might not all be too eager to personally swim across Long Island Sound, we can certainly applaud those who do and the great lengths they go to on behalf of people like Bruce.