In just a few weeks, 325 women will swim 1.2 miles across Lake Cayuga in Women Swimmin for Hospice Care.  EVERY dollar of the donations made  goes directly to Hospicare. To me that’s what separates this from other fundraisers.  Imagine the effects of the $587,000 raised last year.

If you’ve ever seen Hospicare in action, as I have with my best friend, Diana Aleman, you would have seen the beauty of their end of life care. She was without family by that time, but she was not alone. Hospicare was there, just as it was for Carol Gianakos, my daughter-in-law’s mother.  Hospicare extends to bereavement help for the family which helped Demetra and her family in their grief following Carol’s death. I swim in memory and honor of friends and family. Memories of loved ones  help me as I swim that distance. Last year I made a list beforehand so I wouldn’t forget who I was swimming to remember. I’d be honored to add your love ones to my list. 

I give thanks to so many past supporters ….. friends from first grade and high school, teammates from Van Cortland Track Club, colleagues from Beacon High School and a beautiful Beacon alum too, dear friends and wonderful family. You’re the best !  I hope that you will again join me, even in the smallest way, to collectively assist Hospicare families. Knowing that, will give me the absolute happiness I get from doing this simple act. 

Vivian