More than 950 swimmers set for Rhode Island cancer swim fundraiser

Swim Across America will hold its 17th annual Rhode Island open water swim on Sept. 12 at Roger Wheeler State Beach in Narragansett, with more than 950 swimmers already registered. The event will honor retired Providence College coach John O’Neill and raise money for cancer research at Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island.

Why it matters: - The Rhode Island event is the nation’s largest Swim Across America swim and a major local fundraiser for cancer research. - Proceeds support the Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, where the event has raised more than $3 million for the Women’s Oncology program since 2010. - The swim is sold out for participants, but volunteer slots, donations and virtual participation remain open.

What happened: - Swim Across America will host the 17th annual Swim Across America - Rhode Island Open Water Swim on Saturday, Sept. 12, at Roger Wheeler State Beach in Narragansett. - More than 950 swimmers have registered for quarter-mile, half-mile and 1-mile swims, along with a Kids Splash & Dash. - The event will honor John O’Neill, the retired Providence College Swimming & Diving coach and event co-founder. - A Providence College-hosted retirement reception for O’Neill will follow that evening, with tickets priced at $40 through the reception page.

The details: - The Rhode Island swim started in 2010 and has become the largest Swim Across America event in the country. - More than 20 collegiate swimming, diving and water polo teams take part. - O’Neill co-founded the swim in 2010 and has served on the event committee since. - O’Neill recruited college teams across New England and helped build the fundraiser into a Providence College tradition. - His efforts have helped raise more than $550,000 for the event. - O’Neill also supported Providence College swimmers affected by cancer, including Colleen Lowell ’97 and Kara McCurdy ’22. - McCurdy continued swimming after treatment and later joined O’Neill and the Friars at the Rhode Island swim. - Volunteers are still needed, and donations and virtual participation through SAA My Way remain open at Swim Across America Rhode Island.

Between the lines: - The honor for O’Neill reflects how the event has become tied to Providence College swimming culture, not just a one-day fundraiser. - The size of the field and the number of college teams suggest the Rhode Island swim has become a marquee community event for Swim Across America. - The organization is using the race to connect athletic participation with cancer research funding and survivor visibility.

What's next: - The swim takes place Sept. 12, with the retirement reception for O’Neill later that evening. - Organizers are still seeking volunteers and open to additional donations and virtual participants. - Swim Across America continues to support cancer research through swims in 27 U.S. markets and more than 60 research projects.

The bottom line: - The Rhode Island swim has grown into a high-profile, participant-heavy fundraiser that pairs a local coaching legacy with national cancer research support.