"Women Swimmin' is one of the most wonderful fundraisers in Ithaca, the state of New York and maybe even the world. Hospicare Ithaca is of major importance to our community, and to me personally. They were supportive when my husband was dying both to me and to him, and the grievance group I joined for a while certainly helped me through a rough time. It is a grand feeling to join with other swimmin' women even though I am a very slow swimmer, I have a lot of stamina and determination. I love to fund raise for this organization, and besides, my adult children and their spouses and my six grandchildren will be in Ithaca to cheer me on."
"Last year, during our annual lake trip, my 6 and 7 year old pointed out every Women Swimmin' poster and said, 'Mom! You could DO that!' This year, I will."
"I nearly died in a car accident over two years ago. It has changed the way I now view things - as in 'life is too short' and 'carpe diem'. I have been interested in this event for a couple years and want to swim this year not only to support the hospice but as a sign of solidarity and empowerment for women everywhere."
"I think that Hospicare is an amazing organization and would like to help fund its mission. I swam in Women Swimmin' in 2005 and have been talking about it ever since. It was an incredible experience and so well organized - I would like to help out by raising money again."
"My favorite recreational activity: swimming. My favorite local agency: Hospicare. I would donate money anyway to this worthwhile cause but to be able to combine it with swimming is a bonus."
"I swim for friends and family members who have used hospice services. To swim across Cayuga Lake in order to raise money for Hospice is personally fulfilling and rewarding."
"This has become a lovely summer tradition. It's a chance to set a goal for myself, to plan and train with a group of women friends and to raise money for an organization that serves a critical need in Ithaca. It's also a chance to be part of something that feels significant - taking that scary initial plunge into the lake with friends and with strangers knowing that were all there to help support and raise awareness about Hospicare."
"I LOVE this event! It's the highlight of my summer. It's so empowering to be part of such a worthwhile cause."
"I swim as a tribute to a great woman I know who was a nurse, a mom, grand-mother, great-grandmother, and a very good friend to me. Her family saw her through to her last day using a hospice nurse in their home. It was her wish, and it was by far the most humane experience I've ever shared with anyone about dying. It touched me deeply to be able to be with her and her family, at home in her last days."
"I have swum with Women Swimmin' since the very beginning, and I love it. The event itself is such an uplifting and joyous event for everyone involved; it provides much needed funding for Hospicare; and it is an opportunity to give back to an organization that has provided such gracious and tireless support to so many families and individuals in need. I can't imagine not participating!"
"I love to support families who need Hospicare. I love to swim with women who care about each other. I love to feel healthy and have a meaningful goal of helping others. I love the experience from the first jump in the freezing water, to the cheers and applause when we make it to the beach."
"Hospicare is an incredible organization with the most dedicated, compassionate staff you would find anywhere. I support the organization and its mission fully, and I am happy to encourage my friends and family to do the same. Women Swimmin' is an exciting event to participate in. It is life affirming to use my body mind and spirit to swim across the lake. The community support cheering us onward makes it an energizing, high point of my year!"
"I am coming up from Florida to swim in this event again, because it is one of the most life affirming experiences in which I have ever participated!"
"I swam last year and it was one of the most profound experiences of my life. It is for a most important cause."
"Love the water, the women, the cause and the transcendent experience derived from the collective spirit."
"This has been one of the most rewarding things I have ever participated in. The training, the fund-raising for such a good cause, the collegiality and good-natured support of my swimming friends and the support and pride of our families and friends as we cross the lake makes this a win-win all around!"
"Breast cancer prevented me from doing the first Women's Swimmin' event in 2004. I promised myself at that time that if I survived I would do my best to finally swim across Cayuga Lake with the second annual Hospicare swim in 2005. This year I hope to raise funds and swim across Cayuga Lake with Women Swimmin' for my fifth consecutive year! I continue to train all year round for this event and look forward to it daily. This event continues to give me far more than I could ever give back..."
"I've lost many close family members, including my mother and my grandmother. Hospice has always been an extremely supportive and generous part of those experiences. They've helped my family tremendously in getting through those difficult times. It's time to give a little back and make sure the support they provide is always available."
"I am swimming because it is something I feel so proud to be a part of. Its an event that I wouldn't want to miss. Last year was my first year swimming, and I was overwhelmed with the support and the pride our community offers."
"Cause I can't imagine not swimming."
Women Swimmin'
Swimmers & Boaters
Related Links
Hospicare and Palliative
Care Services
of Tompkins County
Hospicare and Palliative
Care Services
of Tompkins County
172 East King Road
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-272-0212
info@hospicare.org
Photos by Jon Reis and Amy Porter
Web Site by RMF Designs
