Fairfield resident Wendy Probert helps make waves to fight cancer
FAIRFIELD, Conn. — On Saturday, June 29, 2024, hundreds of swimmers and volunteers dove into Long Island Sound to fight cancer at the 18th annual Swim Across America – Fairfield County open water swim, which raises funds for the swim’s local beneficiary Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy (ACGT).
It was Fairfield resident Wendy Probert’s 18th year volunteering at the event. Since day one, Wendy and her family have been annual participants at the Swim Across America – Fairfield County event in honor of Wendy’s sister, Kim Lawrence Netter, who sadly passed away from breast cancer in 2001. Kim’s passing was the inspiration for the Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy (ACGT), founded by Kim’s in-laws, Barbara and Edward Netter, who were determined that there be a better way to treat cancer after watching their daughter-in-law succumb after an 11-year battle. ACGT is the local beneficiary for the Swim Across America – Fairfield County event.
Founded in 1987 by Darien resident Matt Vossler, Swim Across America, nationally, has raised more than $100 million to fight cancer. In 2007, Swim Across America, which was holding swims across the country, expanded to Fairfield County and selected ACGT as its local beneficiary. At the time, Wendy was working at Letarte Swimwear in Greenwich. She immediately got involved and brought in a fun retail side by decorating the store windows with mannequins in Swim Across America apparel and began encouraging her shop to host “Sip & Shop” wine and holiday shopping fundraising events for the swim. Wendy also used her retail expertise and teamed up with Nancy Carr, director of Swim Across America – Fairfield County, to organize Make Waves Day, bringing in more retailers and restaurants from Greenwich and throughout Fairfield County, to support Swim Across America – Fairfield County. Now during the month of June, numerous retailers and restaurants join in and donate a percentage of their sales to Swim Across America – Fairfield County.
“I’m very proud of my support of Swim Across America – Fairfield County all of these years,” noted Wendy. “I recently got to showcase Swim Across America at a Sip and Shop event in my hometown of Fairfield with 30 other nonprofits for those new to the area looking for a cause to support. It was fabulous! I’m so energized in building awareness for Swim Across America – Fairfield County and the important work of ACGT, while also recruiting swimmers and volunteers. We are making waves now from Greenwich to Fairfield!”
Sadly, Kimberly was not the only member of Wendy’s family to lose her battle with cancer. Wendy’s father, Richard Lawrence, Kim’s father-in-law, Edward Netter, cousin Diane Darst, and uncle Bob Wassman also all lost their lives to the disease. “Cancer is connected to all of us in some way or another – we all know someone impacted by cancer, but it doesn’t have to be that way,” said Wendy. “I volunteer because I believe in the work of the swim’s beneficiary ACGT and I follow the science.”
Three swim distances were available at the event: a half-mile, 1.5-mile, and 3-mile swim. New this year was a Kids’ Splash for children. Children up to age 11 could participate by splashing a short distance along the beach. Parents were welcomed to join in and accompany non-swimmers or those under age 6.
This is an unedited user writing submission. The views, information, or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Best Version Media or its employees.
