Beneficiaries
— THIS EVENT IS 100% PURPOSE-DRIVEN
Proceeds from the Chicago River Swim will benefit two important programs:
ALS RESEARCH | NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY'S FEINBERG SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
A Long Swim is the charitable organization behind the Chicago River Swim, who uses open water and marathon-distance swimming events to raise funds for ALS research. Over the years, this team has generated more than $2 million for collaborative ALS research at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, just a few blocks from the Chicago River itself.
The funds provided by A Long Swim benefit Northwestern's Ozdinler Lab. In collaboration with Dr. Silverman, the team identified AKV-9, a new compound which improves diseased brain neurons in ALS. AKV-9 has been granted orphan drug status and received FDA approval to start Phase 1 clinical trials.Their investment in ALS research has been very rewarding, as some of the early projects funded by A Long Swim are now in early stages of FDA approval.
YOUTH LEARN-TO-SWIM PROGRAMS
Event proceeds will host dedicated learn-to-swim programming for 2,000 local, at-risk youth through Chicagoland organizations. These programs will highlight the importance of swim-safety as a critical life skill, and integrate youth into the event weekend experience (on-land, until they're 18 and ready for a long-distance swim of their own). More details on this program will be released soon.
