Twenty years ago I made a decision which changed my life. Swimming across the Hudson River was a personal desire and goal that I needed at that time in my life. My beautiful wife, Ann, had recently given birth to our 7th child in nine years, I was working three jobs to feed and care for our large family and desperately out of shape. I really needed to do something for myself that would challenge me physically, mentally and emotionally. Looking at the Hudson River is inspiring enough but to get in to it and to swim across it and make it to the other side was extremely enticing to the point of virtually being called upon by the river.  Well, I did swim it and make it to the other side never imagining that this selfish act would change my life and the lives of many others.

Twenty years have passed and thousands of people have made the same journey fulfilling a want and yearning to accomplish something that a relative few would even dare to think about. These incredible people who choose to swim also choose to swim for others, many who can’t but wish and dream they could only because they are held back by a devastating disease. They fight to get through each day, another round of chemo or radiation or both; their river is much wider than the Hudson. This remarkable cadre of swimmers from all over the United States, Australia, Canada, Peru, France and Ireland have raised millions of dollars to help other people and in doing so have fulfilled their dream, met their goal and now inspire others to do the same.

There are no words to describe my gratitude and sentiment for everyone who has made a contribution to this remarkable event through their time, their talents and their treasury. I have lived a life fulfilled in so many ways and swimming in the beautiful Hudson River with friends is as fulfilling as it gets. Thank you for dreaming and for believing. Let’s see what the next twenty years will bring.

Sincerely,
Dennis Chillemi
Founder of The Hudson River Swim For Life
& Executive Director, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Westchester/Hudson Valley Chapter

more here on the swim's history and mission