Women Swimmin' - Why We Swim

VIDEO

Watch our new video, created by volunteer Manuela Amzallag, to hear swimmers share why they swim.

Moved and inspired by the myriad reasons women cited for their participation, we have gathered here a selection of comments made by Women Swimmers over the last two years.

2011

"I swim for my grandparents who lived until 94 and 98 and who received palliative care when they could no longer care for each other after 60 years of marriage and partnership."

"I swim for my mother -- a wonderful, amazing woman and role model, whose motto was "use your ingenuity." She raised 3 children single-handedly and worked hard her whole life. She died of ovarian cancer and hospice helped her on her final swim to the other shore."

"I believe in Hospicare."

"There are many reasons: to honor my mother, a Hospicare patient, who was my first swimming teacher; to honor many other friends who have been cared for by HPCS; to raise money for the agency which serves the community so beautifully; to test myself -- resolve and continuity; to enjoy the feminist aspects of the event and the wonderful party afterwards. Women Swimmin' is the quintessential Ithaca Women's event."

"Last year was our first swim. I did it on a dare from my partner, who was recovering from knee surgery, and thought this would be a great opportunity. We also have friends who have been doing Women Swimmin' for years who encouraged us. We had a friend last year whose husband spent his last few days in Hospicare, and we were very impressed by the quality of the experience. Our friends took us under their wings for training for the event and we both fell in love with open water swimming, Women Swimmin', and Hospicare."

"I lost my grandmother to Parkinson's disease and a hospice nurse was one of the main reasons my family was able to get through that difficult time. I look forward to supporting such an amazing organization."

"Originally, I swam to support Hospice as a dear friend died at hospice. Now I continue to support and at the same time experience the swim across the lake with friends in the early morning. Fun!!!!"

"I have participated in this wonderful event for several years now, and I find it very inspiring to be with so many brave and strong women, all swimming for a cause that is real and local."

"A friend of mine from high school and college passed away earlier this year from cancer. She lived in Ithaca, was a swimmer, and volunteered at Tompkins County Hospice and Palliative Care Services. One of her friends is organizing some of us to take part in this event on her behalf."

"When my Mom passed away unexpectedly from a fatal heart attack, I received counseling from Hospicare of Tompkins County. It was such a great help to me and I want to give something in return for the organization."

"This year I swim for my little miracles -- Luka and Gabriel. They were due on Women Swimmin' last year and instead arrived on June 10th. Each day with them reminds me how precious life is."

"I swim in memory of all the brave people I know who have received Hospice, in support of the wonderful people who work there. I have participated in this event every year, and am annually refreshed and rejuvenated by the energy and inspiration I receive from the other women and the event."

"I am swimming to raise funds for Hospicare, after witnessing the wonderful work done by this organization when my friends needed their care. Specifically, as I swim across (or up) the lake, I review the impact these friends have had on me and my life. It's almost like a religious experience -- very calming, peaceful and uplifting."

2010

"I fully support the work of Hospicare in our community. Hospicare has a noble and important mission. When each of my parents died, every gesture of grace and dignity that I encountered, no matter how small, was incredibly helpful to me. Hospicare offers grace and dignity in abundance. I would wish that gift for everyone. Also, I love the lake, I love to swim, I love especially to swim with my women friends. Women Swimmin' feels like a great celebration of life and friendship, and I very much look forward to being a part of it again."

"I am swimming to be united with other women to bond and help raise money for an unbelievable cause. I have heard endless praise about the event and have been wanting to take part for several years. This year I am going for it!"

"I love Hospicare - In the past I've worked in the gardens and inside with the residents. I am always blown away by the warm, joyful and creative atmosphere that I find. I've wanted to participate in Women Swimmin' for years and I'm very excited to finally be signing up!"

"It's the most inspiring local event of the year!"

"Training for Women Swimmin' provides me with a reason to consider my own life. As I swim, I am reminded that sometimes I need to be determined, and sometimes, I need to just let go and enjoy the journey. Thank you for providing this wonderful opportunity."

"I love the community spirit of this event. Everyone gets into shape and crosses together, raising money together for a wonderful cause."

"I am swimming because it's an opportunity for me to support an organization whose 'business' is caring and compassion."

"I just love everything about it...the sense of community I feel at the event, the sense of accomplishment I feel when I step out of the water, the way we all come together for such a great organization!"

"What a great experience to be able to join in a beautiful morning swim with beautiful women for such a worthwhile cause."

"Swimming is a key to balancing my life and finding my joy. Many people I know have passed through Hospicare and learned there to reconsider, perhaps even, let go of, their fear of dying. It's been beautiful to watch and to experience such personal transformation."

"This is my 4th year of making the swim. I believe in the mission and services of Hospicare. I hope that if ever I need Hospice services or one of my close loved ones need this service, that Hospicare will be there for me. Raising this money is to help ensure this support will be there for those who need it. I believe in living life fully and being able to die with dignity and with one's loved ones there for support if possible. Life is an incredible gift. Each breath is a new moment of life and we can choose to embrace it as the gift it is. As I swim across the lake, I am swimming in a moment of joy in my life and thankfulness for the healthy body I have been given. I swim because I love this life and want to help others in their time of need at the end of their (or their love one's) life. I swim because I love to swim. I swim because I love my home and community. I swim because I can."

"I'm swimming because the people at Hospicare provide us all with a kind of insurance policy. Most of us go through life without thinking about death. We don't prepare to face it ourselves or with our loved ones."

"I look forward to Women Swimmin' every year, and love swimming with an amazing community of women, raising money for a great cause. I swim for friends who have used their services at the end of their lives. It is so beautiful and inspiring jumping off the boat, seeing so many colorful caps dotting the surface and the joy celebrated upon reaching the shore."

"Breast cancer prevented me from participating in the first swim. By training and fundraising for the second swim, my life was transformed. Now I look forward to swimming across the lake and raising funds for Hospicare all year long. This will be my sixth consecutive year that I have participated in this event!"

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