Help make a splash in the fight against blood cancer!

During the summer of 2009, 20 National Capital area swim teams participated in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Swim-a-Thon program. Together they raised over $77,000 for local blood cancer patients.

We are carrying over our Summer Swim-a-Thon program to the winter swim scene in hopes to continue our goal of raising money for local blood cancer patients. Let's reach the wall together with the  Winter Swim-a-Thon 2009 program! 

 

Join us THIS WINTER to help us set a new record!

Make some waves to make a difference in 2009! Join your fellow swim teams      and LLS in the fight against blood cancers.

Pass along to your team representative today!

Winter 2009 Registration Form

Take a look at the Washington Post's special recognition to our Summer 2009 Swim-a-Thon teams on the Reach for the Wall website here!

For more details, contact Lauren Garson, Winter Swim-a-Thon Coordinator.

Email: lauren.garson@lls.org  Phone: (703) 399-2943  Fax: (703) 399-2901  

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Congratulations to our Summer 2009 teams!

Ashburn Farms: $3,668.72 Burke Centre: $11,151.50  Cardinal Hill: $5,533.44  Cottontail: $3,109.05  Damascus: $2,889.00  Dowden Terrace: $3,405.20  Fairfax: $418.50 Forest Hollow: $3,589.60  Fort Washington: $1,533.12 Hunt Valley: $3,415.00

Ilda: $3,906.00 Lake Braddock: $2,845.85  Lansdowne: $3,265.15  Manor Woods: $2,386.25  Norbeck Hills: $164.00 Palisades: $7,725.06  South Riding-CSL: $7,684.00 South Riding-Mini Rays: $130.00 Twin Farms: $4,971.75  Whetstone: $5,161.80

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It's easy to dive right in! How does the swim-a-thon program work? First, the swim team picks the winter practice date for their Swim-a-Thon. An LLS staff member will provide each swimmer with an information packet, which includes a Swim-a-Thon fact sheet and pledge form. During a kick-off orientation, each swimmer will learn about how their laps will help make an impact on the lives of patients and families in the DC area! Swimmers then have two weeks to secure pledges for the amount they swim during a practice.   How can a lap make a splash? Swimmers begin with securing donations from friends and family for the Swim-a-Thon. For example, a swimmer can receive a $0.50 pledge for each lap. This summer our swimmers swam over 74,000 laps! Imagine if each swimmer this winter collected $0.50 pledges from 5-10 friends or family! Spread the word! Donors can also make a flat donation. During the Swim-a-Thon, swimmers will swim as many laps as they can! Each one adds a tally to their teams total - and funding for research and local patient services! A fun breakfast or dinner celebration is provided along with all the materials and instructions for lap counting. After the Swim-a-Thon, swimmers have two weeks to collect their pledges. Prizes are given to top fundraisers and top lap swimmers at each pool. The Swim-a-Thon program is a fun (and free) way to build some swim team spirit as you support a great cause!

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Already registered? What's next?

Get ready to jump right in! Here are some guidelines that should help team coordinators prepare for the big day - and to help raise awareness for local patients and families! Help us - to be of help to them!

1. Secure your Swim-a-thon Date - call us!
2. Schedule your Kick-off Orientation
3. Let your team and swim community know - Use this poster!
4. Recruit students, team parents and volunteers-Flyer
5. CHALLENGE a local team or rival to join in the fight!
6. Read over your Welcome Packet for tips in your Coordinator Guide:

• Team Representative Guide
• Fundraising Tips
• Facts & Figures

Volunteer. Want to help but you aren't a swimmer? No problem! Come out and volunteer for any one of our scheduled swim programs. Fill out the form below and submit it to lend your time to a great cause.

Donate. Too busy to volunteer? You may send donations of cash or items to the Society at 5845 Richmond Highway, Suite 800, Alexandria, VA 22303. Remember to reference the swim team that your donation will be supporting! Your time and donations will be greatly appreciated in the fight against blood cancers.

Questions?
Please contact Lauren Garson or Erin Walker at (703) 399-2943. You can also contact us via email lauren.garson@lls.org or erin.walker@lls.org.

We hope to see you at the pool!