Westwood Resident Raises Money for Cancer Treatment by Swimming

Swimming has always been a talent for Sheryl Bierden, who has swam competitively since she was 10 years old. It only made sense to put it to a good cause, which is why over the weekend she participated in her fourth Swim Across America, raising over $2,000 towards cancer research.

Swim Across America is in its 25th year and is completely non-competitive. The number one goal is to raise money towards cancer research. Bierden was part of a 22 mile relay team that began and ended at Rowes Wharf, with the swim taking place around the Boston Harbor Islands. It involves swimmers ranging from Olympians to every day Joes here are just trying to help.

“This is a very special group of recreational, Masters and Olympic swimmers who will be taking the day off from work to swim for cancer research,” Bierden wrote on the Swim Across America website. “While this may seem like an extreme effort, it is nothing compared to the struggle cancer patient's face every day.”

Bierden is a 38 year old woman with three boys aged 10, 8 and 6. She is a physical therapist and has lived in Westwood for 11 years. Bierden said that most of her fun activities revolve around her kids and their activities.

Aside from participating in four of these particular events, she is also involved with another fundraiser that benefits Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. It is a triathlon and she will be participating in the near future.

Bierden acknowledges that mostly everyone has had a person in their life with cancer and has had to go through the trials and tribulations of what cancer can do. While she said that she isn’t inspired to do the swim for one particular person, she is happy to be able to help while doing something she loves and is so good at.

“Swimming is one of my few talents in life, and if I can use it to do some good in the world, then I am more than happy to do so,” said Bierden. “This is a challenging event in that it is in the open water- we will be fighting the cold, currents, wild life- I've heard rumors of a large number of jelly fish in the harbor this year. 

She added, “It is a very inspiring event.  Each of the 80 or so swimmers finishes together at Rowes Wharf.   It is quite a sight to see so many people swimming right into downtown Boston.”

Bierden swam competitively from the time she was 10 years old and through college at Boston University.  She specializes in the distance freestyle events.  At the end of her college career she Bierden said that she was pretty much sick of the pool. 

“I took around 12 years off- in that time I started my career, got married, had three kids,” said Bierden. “I was then inspired to get back in the pool because I heard about the Boston Harbor Swim Across America event.”

Bierden had done plenty of open water swimming in high school, including many 1 mile races, a couple of 15k races, one 25k race. This went along with her pool swimming and she said she knew if she got back into training she could get into shape for a great cause. 

“I did this event for two years before I really decided I loved swimming again, and joined a masters swim team,” Bierden explained. “Around two years ago I joined the Boston University Masters Swimming team and have been training with them ever since.  I have had success in both the pool and open water swims since I started this phase of my swimming career.”

Bierden won the 1650 freestyle event for her age group at United States Masters Swimming Nationals in Atlanta in 2010.  Last summer she came in 3rd for women in the Boston Light Swim, which is an 8 mile solo swim in the Boston Harbor.  

The last two years Bierden raised $3,000, which is her goal. This year she is just under at $2,252.50. She still accepts donations and they can be done at her fundraising page.

Bierden said that this year’s event was fantastic, with beautiful weather and plenty of great people swimming for a good cause. She said that it was great seeing the mix of talent, and inspiring to swim among former Olympians in a fun, non-competitive environment.

“Truly, this is just for us to get out there, have fun and raise money for a good cause,” said Bierden.

Swim Across America has raised over $30 million for cancer research, prevention and treatment. For more information log onto swimacrossamerica.org