By Theresa-Marie Wilson
A local youth swimming club made a big splash with a sizable donation to French Hospital’s Hearst Cancer Resource Center. The PUMA Aquatics Team raised $11,000 during its seventh annual swim meet held last October at Arroyo Grande High School.
Hundreds of swimmers from the Central Coast, Central Valley, and Southern California participated in the event. Over the past seven years, PUMA has donated $70,000 to the center. The meet raised money through sponsorships, entry fees, a silent auction, and the concession stand.
PUMA Swim Team coach, Jud Clark, believes that having swimmers work for a cause helps build strong community support with the youngsters. Clark and his team recently presented the check to the center director, Beverly Kirkhart, and French Hospital president/CEO Alan Iftiniuk.
“On behalf of our patients, their families and the staff at Hearst Cancer Resource Center,” Iftiniuk said, “I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the PUMA Swim Team and Jud Clark for once again selecting the Hearst Cancer Resource Center as the recipient of this generous donation. This donation will help us continue to provide important resources to cancer patients and their loved ones.”
PUMA Aquatics is a year-round, competitive swim team offering practices at three locations in SLO County.
The Hearst Cancer Resource Center provides free supportive and educational services to cancer patients to help them understand their disease, tolerate treatment, and maintain dignity and quality of life throughout all aspects of their cancer experience. See: www.supportfrenchhospital.org for information on supporting the cancer center. Submitted photo.
