2009
"This has become a lovely summer tradition. It's a chance to set a goal for myself, to plan and train with a group of women friends and to raise money for an organization that serves a critical need in Ithaca. It's also a chance to be part of something that feels significant - taking that scary initial plunge into the lake with friends and with strangers knowing that were all there to help support and raise awareness about Hospicare."
"I swim as a tribute to a great woman I know who was a nurse, a mom, grand-mother, great-grandmother, and a very good friend to me. Her family saw her through to her last day using a hospice nurse in their home. It was her wish, and it was by far the most humane experience I've ever shared with anyone about dying. It touched me deeply to be able to be with her and her family, at home in her last days."
"Hospicare is an incredible organization with the most dedicated, compassionate staff you would find anywhere. I support the organization and its mission fully, and I am happy to encourage my friends and family to do the same. Women Swimmin' is an exciting event to participate in. It is life affirming to use my body mind and spirit to swim across the lake. The community support cheering us onward makes it an energizing, high point of my year!"
"I've lost many close family members, including my mother and my grandmother. Hospice has always been an extremely supportive and generous part of those experiences. They've helped my family tremendously in getting through those difficult times. It's time to give a little back and make sure the support they provide is always available."
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!"
Women Swimmin'
Swimmers & Boaters
Related Links
Hospicare and Palliative
Care Services
of Tompkins County
Hospicare and Palliative
Care Services
of Tompkins County
172 East King Road
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-272-0212
info@hospicare.org
Photos by Jon Reis Photography
Web Site by RMF Designs
