We are four swimmers who have challenged each other to attempt our longest open‑water swim ever to help Family Health Ministries expand the vision of Sister Carmelle in Haiti. On May 17, 2026, we will take on the epic El Cruce — a 6‑mile channel crossing from Cancun, Mexico to Isla Mujeres.

Our goal is simple and bold: Support the expansion of the Carmelle Voltaire Family Health Center, including the opening of a surgical suite and the addition of a pediatrician to the staff. These steps will dramatically increase access to essential care in the rural mountain communities around Tom Gateaux.

Meet the Team

• Dee Dee Hagemann, 60 – retired high school principal, Syracuse, NY

• Jane Satter, 69 – retired family medicine physician, Chapel Hill, NC

• David Walmer, 73 – retired infertility physician, Chapel Hill, NC

• Mimi Satter, 76 – retired attorney, Syracuse, NY

We are experienced swimmers, but this distance is a stretch for all of us — and that’s exactly why we’re doing it. We want our effort to reflect the courage and determination that Sister Carmelle embodied.

Why We Swim

When Sister Carmelle first arrived in Fondwa in 1996, there was no healthcare available beyond the nursing services she personally provided. Her vision was to build a place where families could receive compassionate, reliable care close to home.

Today, the health center named in her honor provides comprehensive women’s health services, including 24/7 labor and delivery. More than 750 babies have been born there since the center opened. With your help, the next chapter will bring surgical care and pediatric services to a community that has waited far too long.

We are excited because Dr. Danache has also stepped up in a remarkable way. He has assembled a surgical team (nurse anesthesia and scrub techs) who have all agreed to be on call for C-sections 24/7 as soon as the surgical suite opens.  For them this is a 90-minute round trip up and down the mountain.  

How You Can Help

Your support fuels this mission and brings lifesaving care to families in Fondwa.

• Donate: Give whatever you can. Every dollar truly counts.

• Spread the Word: Share our fundraising page with friends, family, and your networks. Awareness multiplies impact.

Thank you so much for your support. We couldn’t do this without you — and the families of Fondwa will feel the impact of your generosity for years to come.