ATHENS, Ga. – For the first time, the Georgia swimming and diving team will join Swim Across America – Atlanta in its return to Lake Lanier on September 22 for the assembly of over 600 swimmers for cancer research.

The open water swim will combine swimmers of all ages and skill levels – youth, Olympians, collegiate athletes and cancer survivors – to fundraise for the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Forty-plus local swim teams across the state of Georgia join forces to support the seventh annual event.

“The Swim Across America event is a different way for our athletes to start this year,” Georgia head coach Jack Bauerle said. “The cause itself made it an easy decision because as we know, cancer is non-discriminatory and has already touched the lives of many of our athletes, and certainly will continue to down the road. It’s a great way for the swimming community to come together and do something extremely important for our great state. It’ll be fun to see our athletes adjust to being in a lake rather than an eight-lane pool. We are really excited about being there.”

Participants will choose from the half-mile, 1-mile and 5K distances, along with a Duck Splash for young swimmers. In addition to an autograph session with more than 20 Olympic athletes, awards will be presented to both top fundraisers and course champions. Each registered swimmer commits to raising a minimum of $400.

“On event day, there’s an extraordinary bond between our teams, the doctors, and our survivors,” said Missy Franklin, recent Swim Across America – Denver participant and two-time Olympian and world-record holder. “You are surrounded by an amazing group of individuals from some of the world’s best swimmers to regional and beginning swimmers, including survivors. Everyone is diving in with a determination for a cancer cure and it’s truly a powerful experience.”

Georgia and Emory are the first swimming and diving teams to take part in the Atlanta swim as a full squad.

A national organization, Swim Across America hosts events across the country to support local beneficiaries of cancer research. In just six years, Swim Across America – Atlanta has raised $1.75 million overall with $1.2 million funding research directly benefiting Aflac Cancer Center.

To donate directly to the Georgia fundraising page, click here: http://gado.gs/b1.