2017 English Channel swim

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

I never imagined......

Several years ago I never imagined that I would become a marathon swimmer.  And then, I never imagined that I would lose my youngest brother Robbie to a sudden and unexpected heart attack at the age of 34.  I started my swim career as a tribute to him.    On February 14, I will be participating in the "Valentine's Day..Swim for your Heart" event to bring an awareness of heart disease and prevention.  Maine Medical Center along with the Maine Heart Center will be visiting many area pools in the Greater Portland area to offer free blood pressures, free cholesterol test, and heart healthy information.  They need our support.  Please join me in making a donation to Maine Medical Center in memory of my brother or in memory of your loved one.  These health screenings will increase awareness of cardiovascular risk factors.   You can make an online donation to Maine Medical Center at their safe and secure website.  Please visit http://swimforyourheartfeb14.com.  Click on the "Donate" link, the click on The Maine Heart Center logo.  If you would prefer to mail a check, please forward check to:  Maine Medical Center, Development Dept, Attn: Valentine's Day..Swim for your Heart,  22 Bramhall Street, Portland, Maine 04102.     Thank you for your generosity.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

"Valentine's Day...Swim for your Heart" event

In less than three weeks the global swim event, "Valentine's Day...Swim for your Heart" will take place.  Swimmers from over 30 countries will be participating in thought and action to bring an awareness to heart disease and its prevention.  Here in my home state of Maine, the Maine Heart Center will be offering free blood pressures, free cholesterol screening, and providing heart healthy information to all swimmers at poolside in the Greater Portland area.  I will be sending a donation to the Maine Medical Center's Maine Heart Center. I hope you will join me in donating to this very worthy cause. I have provided the link to Maine Medical Center's donation page. It's a safe and secure website.  https://fundraising.mmc.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=720
Also, please visit the website http://swimforyourheartfeb14.com  to see the schedule of free screening in the Greater Portland area.  Thank you.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

TideSmart Global

I would like to thank Steve Woods, President / CEO of TideSmart Global and candidate for Maine State Governor and his associates Michelle Reeves, Mark Gould, and Todd Friberg for their expert advice and redesign of the website "Valentines Day...Swim for your Heart" to bring an awareness of heart disease and prevention.  They generously donated their time and energy to greatly improve the marketing strategy of this global swim event.  Their recommendations have made a significant impact on this heart disease campaign.  Please visit the website: http://swimforyourheartfeb14.com
  Many of your know that I lost my 34 year old brother from a sudden and unexpected heart attack.  Bringing an awareness of heart disease and prevention is very important to me.  I hope you will get involved as either a swimmer or supporter on February 14 and send a donation to YOUR favorite heart program.  Again, a special thank you to Steve Woods and his wonderful organization.

Saturday, January 5, 2013

I need your help.....

 I need your help in spreading the word on the global swim event occurring on February 14, 2013.  This Valentine's Day Swim (also known as Swim for your Heart") brings an awareness of heart disease and prevention.  It's easy to participate!  Go for a swim on February 14 and send a donation to YOUR favorite heart charity.  This years' event is in memory of Norway's Champion Swimmer Alexander Dale Oen who died at the age of 26 from a heart attack.  He was unaware that he had heart disease.  In my home state of Maine, Maine Medical Center's  Maine Heart Center will be going to poolside at several locations to offer free blood pressures, free cholesterol test and provide heart healthy information to all swimmers. Also, many area businesses are encouraging employees to participate in this event.   As of today, there are swimmers from 30 countries who will be participating in this global event.  It's not to late to plan an event in your hometown..invite your local medical community to pool side and ask them to provide heart healthy information to swimmers. Please visit the website and view event planning. http://swimforyourheartfeb14.com   Thank you.

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

WOWSA, Woman of the Year, Annaleise Carr

It was announced on January 1, 2013 that fourteen year old Annaleise Carr of Canada was voted the 2012 World Open Water Swimmer, Woman of the Year, Award.  Her story is another very inspirational one.....she swam across Lake Ontario to raise money for children with cancer.  She raised over $230,000 in one day.  I'm in awe of her accomplishment.  I hope her story is presented to the Disney Corporation for a movie... My young grandchildren enjoy having a bedtime story read to them each night. I told them the story of young Annaleise and they were mesmerized about her adventurous swim and thoughtfulness to help sick children.  Congratulations, Annaleise!

WOWSA Man of the Year, Stephen Redmond

It was announced on January 1, 2013 that Ireland's Stephen Redmond was voted the World Open Water Swimmer, Man of the Year, Award.  Congratulations, Stephen!   He competed against many well known marathon swimmers in the world....each of them deserving of this award, too.   But, Stephen's courage and tenacity to achieve his goal of completing the Ocean Seven Challenge was truly inspirational.  Great job, Stephen!