After 35 years, Swim Across the Sound is going statewide with the full support of Hartford HealthCare. Teams of open water swimmers are set to traverse the Long Island Sound as they raise funds for cancer patients on Saturday, July 29th.

Hartford Hospital has fielded its first Swim Across the Sound team—ST Elevations – Hartford Hospital—which is being captained by Sarah Hope, an experienced triathlete and Registered Nurse from the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at the Henry Low Heart Center at Hartford Hospital.

“I’m terrible at swimming—I’m more of a cyclist and runner,” shares Hope with a laugh. “But our team saw this challenge and we’re ready to take it on.”

ST Elevations—Hartford Hospital is comprised of Hope; fellow RN Elizabeth Ryan, Physician Assistant Benjamin Mucci, PA-C; and Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Joseph Ingrassia—each of whom are from the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory—as well as two swimmers from outside of Hartford HealthCare. Together, they will endeavor to swim across the Long Island Sound from Whitehall Beach in Port Jefferson, NY to Captain’s Cove Seaport in Bridgeport, CT to raise funds for cancer patients. They set their team goal at $7,500.

 

ST Elevations – Hartford Hospital Team Members (L-R) Dr. Joseph Ingrassia, Elizabeth Ryan, Benjamin Mucci, and Team Captain Sarah Hope

For Hope, the challenge of the long, open water swim and the intense amount of training and preparation that comes with it has a meaning deeper than the Sound itself.

“Deep in my heart, I know that this is going to be a worthwhile investment—I’m doing something greater than myself,” says Hope. “As caregivers, it’s in our nature to want to help and this is a way that we can put money in the hands of people who need it and support them along their path. We can’t change the circumstances of those fighting cancer, but we can be there to hold their hand and help.”

The Team Captain also shared that excitement is building—both among her Swim Across the Sound teammates and colleagues from the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and other parts of Hartford Hospital.

“It’s been a great team-building exercise, we’re going through a common experience and it’s been drawing us together on a different level,” says Hope. “Many of our other Hartford Hospital colleagues have been approaching us to ask how they can donate and support the team.

“This has been a revitalizing experience and I think afterward, when we’re looking back across the Sound, we will definitely feel a sense of accomplishment.”

Hartford Hospital invites the community to donate and help ST Elevations – Hartford Hospital reach their fundraising goal by visiting their team donation page.

About Swim Across the Sound

What began 35 years ago when three Boston College graduates swam across the Sound and raised $5,000, has grown into a series of events, raising more than $1 million annually. The Swim Marathon has seen upwards of 160 swimmers and 120 boaters participate in this one-day swimming event from Whitehall Beach in Port Jefferson, NY to Captain’s Cove Seaport in Bridgeport, CT. The journey measures 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) and can take anywhere from 5.5 hours to over 10 hours to complete. By obtaining donations, swimmers help Swim Across the Sound raise funds to provide cancer patients and their families with programs and support. You can learn more about Swim the Sound Marathon by visiting swimacrossthesound.org/marathon2023