"Hospicare came into my home and helped my husband on his last day with us. I'll never forget the professionalism, speed, kindness to all of us getting my husband comfortable and helping me through this crisis. Because of this experience I was able to connect with Hospicare when my Mom was dealing with pancreatic cancer. They helped with everything. My Mom felt comfortable, received what she needed quickly and was treated respectfully, gently, honestly and with humor when appropriate. This past year I swam in memory of my husband Bill and my Mom was so excited about the swim. She knew that this year my sister and I are swimming for her. This is my way to honor my husband, my Mom and support a wonderful organization. I'll swim as many years as I can keep swimming."
"I attended a dinner party recently where the hostess told us about her experience swimming for Hospicare. Her story was so very positive - filled with emotion and humor. It was her husband's comments, however, that really moved me. He said (not a direct quote) that it was one of the most beautiful days he had experienced - seeing the swimmers come across the lake and welcoming them to the other side after a job well done for such and important service to our community. I could tell that he was truly proud and touched!!"
"December marked my 40th year with type 1 diabetes. Swimming across the lake is a way to celebrate."
"Women Swimmin' has become one of the most important and significant events in my life. An unexpected and terrifying breast cancer diagnosis prevented me from participating in the first swim in 2004. After completing eight months of treatment I saw a poster for the second annual swim. I set a goal for myself that I would swim across the lake (with Hospicare) since I had always wanted to do so. Training, fundraising and participating in the 2005 swim literally transformed my life. Now I have two swims under my belt and hope to complete my third this August. Thank you to the organizers for giving me something to look forward to every day of the year. I continue to receive so much more from this event then I give back."
"I swim to help preserve the respectful, peaceful, and beautiful care as well as thoughtful services, which Hospicare provides for anyone who may find themselves or a loved one in need of it."
"I have had friends die young. Hospicare allowed a peaceful, dignified end to their lives while being cared for in beautiful surroundings."
"I swam last year, and it was a pleasure to be part of a well orchestrated community event - with boaters, swimmers, organizers and observers, all pulling in the same direction. I even enjoyed asking friends and colleagues to support Hospicare by sponsoring my swim, because I welcome the chance to talk about Hospicare and it's important to me, personally in terms of people who have died there, and personally in terms of my wish to avoid death in an ICU. It is worthy for me."
"Because I am grateful that I can still swim and am healthy. I know the benefits of your program and other hospice programs around the state. I'm at a point in my life that I have no time for fear or excuses."
"It's a personal challenge, a great cause, and a terrific name!"
"Women Swimmin' has become part of my life. It's my yearly commitment to the memory of my mother, my first swimming teacher. And, it's the way I can raise the money for HPCS that I can not afford to give."
"I've done two of these events. It never seems like a big deal until I find myself at the Yacht Club, watching the sun rise and seeing so many women, of such a range of ages and abilities, preparing to swim. Then I get a strong collective spirit moving in myself, and find it wonderfully exciting, inspiring."
"I'm swimming to honor a dear friend who is in the care of Hospicare. She has shown such remarkable determination as she endured a mastectomy, hip replacement and now brain surgery. She worked all during those years of chemo, too. My swimming is a small token of my admiration for her."
"I am a nurse who has referred patients to Hospicare. Then their families have raved about your services. It would be an honor to raise funds for your organization."
"Participating in last year's event was one of the best experiences I have ever had! Such a wonderfully invigorating fundraiser!"
"The idea of jumping off a big boat, "The MV Manhattan," with a passel of women of all shapes and sizes, laughing and shrieking. That sounds like fun I haven't had since I was ten. I support Hospicare, of course. My sister Kathryn is a nurse there, and I've volunteered, getting to know a very good friend before she passed on. The organization epitomizes humaneness and effective community response."
"The combined energy and enthusiasm of 200+ women who are all contributing to the same goal is contagious. Being a part of this effort brings a lot of joy and satisfaction."
"Hospicare is a wonderful organization with incredible, dedicated staff!"
"I spent summers on the lake and have always been a lover of water. Last summers' experience was so rich and transcendent that I plan to participate until I can't swim any more...and it's a great cause!"
"I have two hip replacements and it is hard for me to stay in shape because some of my old activities are not available to me now, I love swimming but need the encouragement to get out there and swim. By swimming for Hospicare, I stay in shape, support a great organization and stay in touch with my friends who swim."
"My partner's partner before me passed away. She received services from Hospicare while in her last days. My partner speaks highly of the support and care they both received there. I am doing this swim as a tribute to my partner - her strength - and in memory of the woman who loved her before I did."
"It's the best day of the summer!"
"I am a Registered Nurse in a local emergency department. Hospice is a wonderful organization, providing care and support to terminally ill patience and families. I want to contribute to this by swimming to ensure they are able to continue to provide their resources to anyone who needs it."
"I worked for several years in a chronic care hospital so I am familiar with the alternatives to Hospicare. I have never heard anything but wonderful, positive things about Hospicare from families and volunteers. We don't have a lot of extra money right now but I can swim for you! Thanks for giving us all the opportunity to contribute in some way."
"To participate in a community activity that makes Ithaca unique. To take care of myself - for a change. To become motivated toward a personal fitness goal - for a change. To publicly put on a bathing suit. To support an extraordinary organization and all that is stands for."
"Why am I swimming - let me count the ways -
- For my mom Dorothy. My friends Pamela and Anne, my late husband, Doug - and all who have needed hospice care
- Because the lake is there and I like to swim
- Because it was a Hoot to hear other women, on the boat crossing the lake, admit that they, too, wrestled with the niggling fear that there WAS a monster at the bottom of the lake
- I'm 64. I hate being one-upped by an 82-year-old"
"I am swimming to honor my mother - one of the strongest women I have known - who was blessed by the care of Hospicare. I couldn't swim across a pool, let alone a lake! But at the urging of my sister, I signed up for swimming lessons in order to be able to participate in this event with my sisters and nieces. And with my brothers and nephews watching over us from the boats, we consider Women Swimmin' an event that allows us to honor our parents and to say "thank you" for the gift that Hospicare gave our family."
Women Swimmin'
Swimmers & Boaters
Related Links
Hospicare and Palliative
Care Services of
Tompkins County
Photos by Jon Reis and Samite Mulondo
Web Site by RMF Designs
