The revenue from Swim to Fight Cancer is higher than ever this year. The organization can already report this – just under two weeks before the event. “We have already passed half a million and that is a milestone for Haarlem,” says Jorieke Exler on behalf of the swimming event for charity.
Swim to Fight Cancer will be held on Sunday 4 June in the canals of Haarlem. According to Exler, it is special that so much money has already been raised. “This donation amount has been received thanks to 450 swimmers. Perhaps a little more will come in, because there is still room.”
Comfort rooms
The name says it all: Swim to Fight Cancer raises money for cancer research, among other things. The proceeds of this Haarlem edition are partly used locally. Exler: “We want to help the Spaarne Gasthuis with the treatment of young adult cancer patients. They are called AYAs: adolescents and young adults. There is not yet a good place in the hospital for that group of young people. We want to purchase two mobile comfort rooms. A place where they can relax, with games and such.”
The money also goes to cancer vaccine research. Last year the Swim raised 461,129.11 euros, despite the fact that there was no swimming at all, because it turned out to be blue-green algae in the open water. That risk does not exist this year, because swimming takes place much earlier in the season.
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According to Jorieke Exler, they already train hard: “Every Monday evening we train in the open water of the Mooi Nel. That training group is quite full. Last night there were no fewer than 52 participants. There are also special training sessions for the kids and family swim.”
Haarlem is one of the nine Dutch cities where a Swim to Fight Cancer is organized. The final result in the Spaarnestad will be announced on Sunday 4 June during the event. You can follow it all live at NH. So there is still room for more participants. You can register until May 29 sign up with Swim to Fight Cancer.