Swimming has long been seen as the ultimate test of endurance. There’s nothing quite like the grit of cutting through the water, head down, putting in some serious elbow grease—it’s a workout masterpiece! But swimming can also feel like a solo sport, with hours spent in the pool, just you and your thoughts. And that feeling of being alone in the water? Yes, it can weigh heavy on a swimmer’s mind! But here’s a cool twist: what if swimming could do more than just test our limits?

Enter a non-profit organization that’s flipped the script and turned aquatic activity into a humanitarian effort. In fact, just recently in Houston, they dove right in and used swimming as a way to raise funds for an important cause. Now that’s taking the power of the pool to a whole new level!

A swimming event makes a splash in the hearts of many

According to the Houston Chronicle, the annual Houston open water swim took place on Saturday, with approximately 70 participants. The nonprofit organization Swim Across America hosted a fundraiser for cancer research. The Houston venue, Margaritaville Lake Conroe, served as the designated setting for the event. They offered three courses—½ mile, 1 mile, and 2 miles—and guess what? Those distances helped raise over $60,000 for cancer research! And the latest update shows they’ve now hit an impressive $64,452. Considering their goal was $60,000, that’s pretty remarkable! However, to reach the milestone, a chunk of credit goes to the top fundraiser, Robert McLaren. Additionally, he has a beautiful story backing his engagement with the program.

When it comes to fundraising, Robert McLaren is leading the pack, having raised an impressive $18,429 by the time this article hit the presses—quite a feat compared to the second-ranked participant! But how does he pull off such a remarkable effort? Well, there’s a touching story behind it all. McLaren’s dad has fought a tough battle against three different types of cancer, but thanks to the incredible care he received at the MD Anderson Cancer Center, he’s now in the clear!

Robert McLaren shared, “I wanted to do what I can to ensure that anybody who gets cancer can have the same outcome that my father did, which I know is currently not the case at all.” Notably, this time the Houston event is raising money for MD Anderson Cancer Center and Robert is playing the role of the co-director. Surprisingly, this is not the first time Swim Across America has organized such an event. 

The Swim Across America garners a lot of interest among the commoners 

Across the country, Swim Across America (SAA) has played a major role in creating awareness of cancer research. To achieve this target, it hosts several open-water swimming competitions throughout the year. The events are also utilized to raise funds, and each time, SAA submits the money to the local cancer research center. Moreover, each time the non-profit organization spreads awareness of a particular type of cancer. In Houston, it was on glioblastoma, a type that affects the brain cells. Meanwhile, in the past, the organization reached Rhode Island. There as well, the open water swimming received a lot of positive views. 

Earlier this year in March, Swim Across America (SAA) made a splash at the Baltimore Polar Plunge, with proceeds benefiting the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins. And they’re not stopping there! Coming up, Charlotte is gearing up to host a similar event, showing just how dedicated SAA is to uniting efforts in the fight against cancer. It’s all about creating a concerted approach to tackle this challenge head-on. Have you ever participated in one of their programs? We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences!