Women Swimmin’ for Hospicare: More Than a Swim

At first light on Saturday, August 9th, hundreds will gather on the shore of Cayuga Lake—not for competition, but for compassion.

At sunrise, 330 women will swim 1.2 miles across the lake, supported by 150 paddlers and boaters and cheered on by hundreds of volunteers and community members. It’s the 22nd annual Women Swimmin’ for Hospicare—a tradition that brings together swimmers, volunteers, donors, and supporters in an unforgettable show of support for compassionate end-of-life care.

But Women Swimmin’ is more than just a single day on the lake.

All summer long, people from all over our community are Going the Distance for Hospicare, raising funds by doing meaningful activities in their own way. Some are running or biking. Others are crafting, baking, writing poems, or photographing the beauty around them. One participant is making meals to donate to a local community kitchen.

Every dollar raised, whether through swimming the lake or by participating in Go the Distance, helps Hospicare provide comfort and dignity to people in Tompkins and Cortland counties who are facing life-limiting illness and to those grieving the loss of a loved one.

Everyone is invited to come cheer on the lake swimmers from the shore. It’s a beautiful gathering full of music, community, and gratitude. Or consider Going the Distance yourself by choosing a meaningful goal and raising funds in honor of someone you love. You can also show your support by volunteering on the day of the event or making a donation to a swimmer or fundraiser. If you’d like to get involved, all of the details can be found on womenswimmin.org.

Your support matters more than you might realize.

Women Swimmin’ for Hospicare provides half of their annual charitable support. While most of Hospicare’s services are covered by Medicare and insurance, nearly 20% of their budget relies on charitable gifts. These gifts are what allow them to go above and beyond—offering grief support to the community, providing education for caregivers, paying fair wages to our nurses and aides, and ensuring no one is turned away from the Nina K. Miller Residence due to financial hardship.

Whether you swim, walk, bake, volunteer, or simply cheer from shore, Women Swimmin’ is your chance to be a part of something powerful. You are helping Hospicare bring peace, comfort, and support to our neighbors during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.