Team Hanger to Swim from New York to Connecticut

On Saturday, August 13, in Swim Across the Sound, Bridgeport, Connecticut, six physically-challenged athletes will swim 15.5 miles from New York to Connecticut to raise money for cancer patients. Four of the swimmers are bone cancer survivors who each lost a leg in the battle against cancer. The fifth swimmer lost his leg in a motorcycle accident and the sixth swimmer became paralyzed from the chest down in a car accident.

Like cancer patients, the members of this team, called Team Hanger, face challenges and overcome adversity every day of their lives. Competing as the first physically-challenged relay team ever to swim in the 15.5-mile charity race called Swim Across the Sound, their goal is to inspire hope and motivation in others who may be facing difficult times.

Joined by 13 solo amateur swimmers and 25 other relay teams, the six swimmers of Team Hanger will swim from Port Jefferson, New York, to Bridgeport, Connecticut. All of the money raised by the Swim Across the Sound (www.swimacrossthesound.org) will go to cancer patients, their families, and 34 cancer prevention, screening, and education programs.

About The Swim

Swim Across the Sound has a unique niche, helping cancer patients and their families. The Swim, which is part of St. Vincent's Medical Center in Bridgeport, sponsors 34 cancer education, screening and prevention programs and assists cancer patients on a case-by-case basis. In 2004, the Swim raised a record $2.5 million and offered services to 18,000 cancer patients and their families. The Swim began in 1987 and has grown into the premier local cancer charity in Connecticut.

Saturday, August 13

6:30AM Ferry with all swimmers departs from Bridgeport, headed to Port Jefferson, NY

8:30AM Race starts just offthe coast of Port Jefferson

3:00 7:00PM Swimmers finish at Captain's Cove Marina, Bridgeport

Swimmers Have Unique Stories

Jason Pipoly; Nashville, Tennessee; 34 years-old At the tender age of just 8 years-old, Pipoly became the youngest person to attempt to swim the English Channel. He fell short just a few miles offthe coast due to bad weather and high winds, but vowed to return to conquer the Channel some day. 20 years later while driving through the mountains of Colorado, Pipoly's car hit ice and slammed into a tree, breaking Pipoly's back and paralyzing him from the chest down. Since his tragic accident, Pipoly returned to swimming, despite his paralysis, and swam both the English Channel and the Catalina Channel. An avid long distance swimmer, Pipoly is the founding member of Team Hanger.

Mikhael Keyser; Lake Placid, Florida; 21 years-old - A bone cancer survivor, Keyser lost his leg to cancer when he was just four years old. A highly competitive swimmer in both able-bodied and amputee athletic competitions, Keyser competed in the 50- and 100-meter freestyle at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece and competes on the collegiate-level as a member of the University of Wisconsin Swim Team.

Mark E. Rowley; Mesa, Arizona; 53 years-old A bone cancer survivor, Rowley lost his leg in June 1977. From his early years as a varsity competitor on a high school team with four All-American members to his current position as dive master on the Mesa County SheriffDivers Posse, Rowley has always been an avid swimmer. A Dive Master since 1984, Rowley is also a member of the Arizona Masters Swim Team and has completed the 10-mile rough water swim in Seal Beach, CA for over 10 years in a row.

David Prince; Atlanta, Georgia; 21 years-old On March 14, 2002, Prince lost his right leg below-the-knee in a motorcycle accident. Previously an athletic person, Prince didn't let his amputation stop him from competing. At the 2005 Endeavor Games, Prince medaled in 15 out of a possible 16 track, field, and swimming events. He is currently an instructor at the Atlanta SCUBA and Swim Academy. Prince's goal is to become a Paralympic champion.

Kyle Underwood; Canton, Ohio; 42 years-old A bone cancer survivor, Underwood lost his right leg through the hip 30 years ago while battling cancer. Turning tragedy into positive experiences, Underwood became a top competitor in able-bodied and amputee cycling, garnering medals and shattering road racing records at the 1988 Paralympics in Seoul and at the National and World Championships in the late 80's and early 90's. Determined to help amputees overcome the challenges he faced, Underwood became a certified prosthetist/orthotist in 1996.

Cindy Underwood; Canton, Ohio; 46 years-old - A bone cancer survivor, Cindy Underwood lost her left leg through the hip 32 years ago while battling cancer but she did not let that slow her down. She spent many years as a lifeguard and swim instructor. As an elementary school teacher for 23 years, she has managed to keep up with energetic first and second graders. Cindy Underwood is a mother of two (Zachary, 16; Rylie, 11) and recently wed fellow Team Hanger member Kyle Underwood.

Team Hanger to Swim from New York to Connecticut

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