For Islamorada resident Glenn Latham, a love for swimming and a mission to join in the battle against cancer were married two years ago with the inaugural Swim Across America — Florida Keys Open Water Swim.
Latham, 69, is celebrating his 12th year cancer-free following a diagnosis in 2008 and four years of treatment.
“Cancer is something we’ve either faced or known someone who’s battled through over the years,” said Latham, the Florida Keys open water swim coordinator with his wife, Susan, and Bob and Lisa Coakley.
On April 20, swimmers will don goggles and caps as they take part in a noncompetitive, social swim to support the fight against cancer. Participants will gather at the beach at Founders Park in Islamorada.
Swim Across America — Florida Keys Open Water Swim enters year three with distances including the 2-mile, 1-½ -mile and half-mile. Young participants who can swim 100 feet or more can join the fun kids’ splash. The Lathams said the races aren’t competitive, but more “go at your pace.”
“We’ll have big mats they (young swimmers) can swim to and play on before swimming back and running through the arch,” Susan Latham said.
More than $210,000 was raised in the two previous open water swims in the Florida Keys. Proceeds support ongoing cancer research and patient care programs at the Baptist Health South Florida’s Miami Cancer Institute. This year’s open water swim seeks to raise $150,000.
Receiving a cancer diagnosis in his early 50s wasn’t actually a surprise to Latham — his parents and two siblings all battled cancer. Latham’s father battled prostate cancer, and his mother passed away at 48 from breast cancer — a disease that also affected two of his sisters, of whom one succumbed to the disease.
“I believe we need to expand cancer research, and the funding that Swim Across America and our swim generates is of huge value,” he said.
Funding for cancer research is especially critical in a time of rising cancer diagnosis. The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 2 million new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S this year.
Swim Across America holds events throughout the country to support cancer research at hospitals and institutions. More than $100 million went to fund cancer research and clinical trials. According to Swim Across America, 100% of grants it issues are applied only to approved clinical trials or research projects.
The idea for a swim originated with a group of women tennis players, including Glenn’s wife, Susan, who started swimming for additional exercise at the Founders Park beach and around the jetty. The small group welcomed other interested swimmers, including Bob Coakley.
“He (Bob) was involved with Swim Across America events for a long time,” Susan said. “We just got to talking. He said Founders Park is an absolute jewel for this kind of swim.”
“It raised a passion for us,” Susan said about a swim to support the fight against cancer. “We wanted to do something in our community.”
Former Olympic swimmers will join participants during the swim event. Steve Lundquist won gold in the 100-meter breaststroke and the 4-by-100-meter medley relay in the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. Decorated Olympian and Islamorada resident Jon Olsen will also be on hand. Olsen, who coaches the Coral Shores High School swim team, won five gold medals and one silver medal at the 1986 Olympics, three golds and a bronze at the 1992 Olympics and two gold medals at the 1996 Olympics.
Other notable swimmers include Eric Wunderlich, Tony Corbisiero and Coakley. Glenn Latham said the decorated swimmers will also serve as angel swimmers.
“Any swimmer who maybe isn’t comfortable in open water can swim alongside them,” he said.
Swim participants 18 and over pledge to raise at least $500, while those under 18 are asked to get $200 in donations. A person can swim alone or as a team.
Swimmers, volunteers and those wishing to donate can visit swimacrossamerica.org/floridakeys. Donations can also be made to support cancer research on the website. Interested swimmers who can’t make the Swim Across America event in Islamorada can participate virtually by visiting the website, clicking the “get involved tab” and clicking “SAA My Way (Virtual).”
