Swim for Life to honor Orlando victims

Provincetown Banner, June 30, 2016.  Organized to fight HIV/AIDS, rampant homophobia and an unresponsive government and medical system, the Swim for Life will honor the victims of the Orlando massacre at its September 10 fundraiser. The name of each victim, and those injured, will be inscribed on a colored ribbon and added to the 2,800 ribbons that honor both those who have died and those whom we love. Families, friends and allies around the world will also be remembered. The fight against AIDS gave birth to Prayer Ribbona and they speak to the whole community.

It was mostly gay men who were devastated in the early decade of the AIDS pandemic. But activist men and women fought and demanded action. We changed the way healthcare is delivered in the country. And Provincetown was at the forefront of this battle: caring for the sick and fighting for humane and non-discriminatory treatments.

At its inception, the Swim for Life chose to support the activist Provincetown People with AIDS (PWA) Coalition, which espoused self-empowerment and challenged the unresponsiveness of traditional healthcare. The AIDS Support Group was added as a beneficiary and then Helping Our Women. We presently support a holistic model of community health: the AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod and Helping Our Women (primary beneficiaries); and, Provincetown Schools, Lower Cape Ambulance, Soup Kitchen of Provincetown, Outer Cape Heath Services, The Compact Community Fund, Accessible Provincetown, Provincetown Rescue Squad, West End Racing Club and Cape Cod Children’s Place.

The Provincetown Swim for Life & Paddler Flotilla, a 1.4-mile swim across Provincetown Harbor, is sponsored by the Provincetown Community Compact and has raised $4M for AIDS, women’s health and the community since 1988.Lead business sponsor is Seamen’s Bank; media sponsor is the Provincetown Banner. Business sponsors include: Fanizzi’s Restaurant, Lobster Pot Restaurant, Far Land Provisions, Boatslip Beach Club, Harbor Hotel, Crown & Anchor, Mussel Beach Health Club and Berta Walker Gallery.For information for swimmers, kayakers, boaters and volunteers, contact: thecompact@comcast.net, and www.swim4life.org Take the Plunge!