Safety First: Calling All Nurses!

Finally, the summer season is here, unofficially anyway, and with it comes dozens of charity walks, runs, swims and bikes, all in need of participants and volunteers throughout Fairfield County. One outdoor fundraiser coming up hosted by a VolunteerSquare.com partner agency has a unique volunteer need – specifically for registered nurses.

On Saturday June 30, nonprofit group Swim Across America will hold its 6th annual Greenwich-Stamford Swim off Cummings Point Road in Stamford. There are several different swim options including a half-mile or a 1.5 mile swim, or a three or five-mile challenge. This is the sixth year the swim has been held on the Stamford-Greenwich shores and benefits the Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy (ACGT), the nation’s only non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to funding cancer cell and gene therapy research.

Last year, more than 200 swimmers took to the water and raised over $500,000 for cancer gene therapy research. On event day this year, organizers say they would like to have at least 6 registered nurses on hand at the finish line to observe participants coming out of the water. The nurse volunteers will then direct anyone who may be in need of medical attention to the on-site EMT’s. The nurse volunteers will be needed from about 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. depending on how many swimmers participate in the event.

Swim Across America is a national organization "dedicated to raising money and awareness for cancer research, prevention and treatment" but has strong ties to southwestern Connecticut. Co-founder, and Darien resident, Matt Vossler says events like the one coming up on the 30th are all about community.

“Many of our swimmers are either cancer survivors or have been touched by cancer in some way – either personally or by someone they know,” said Vossler. “Those that participate are truly inspirational. With every stroke each swimmer makes, it’s a chance to save a life through the promise of cancer research and treatment.”

Locally, the Greenwich-Stamford Swims have raised a total of $1 million for the Connecticut beneficiary, the Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy (ACGT).  Nationally, Swim Across America has raised more than $40 million for cancer research, prevention and treatment. We’re really proud to have them as a partner at VolunteerSquare.com and hope you can help them out.

To learn more about what this awesome group is doing and how you can get involved visit their website or give them a call 888-SWIM-USA. If you’d like to volunteer, contact Sheila at Sheila@swimacrossamerica.org. If you’d like to kayak or boat, here is the contact information:

Kayakers – Murphy@Swimacrossamerica.org

Boaters – Palmer@swimacrossamerica.org

If this particular opportunity doesn’t float your boat remember you can always learn more about other volunteer needs throughout Fairfield County by visiting us anytime at VolunteerSquare.com.