Across the lake for Alzheimer's

I'm Issie, I just turned 13 and swimming has been my passion since I was 8 years old.  This summer I'll be the youngest to attempt the 11.8 km Skaha Lake Ultra Swim in Penticton, BC. 

My mom grew up in Penticton and we visit my grandparents there every summer.  My grandma has Alzheimer's disease and my grandpa has cared for her for many years.   Grandma has just gone into a nursing home which has been very hard for the whole family.

I want to swim this summer for my grandparents and raise money to give to Alzheimer's research.  All funds raised will be donated to the Alzheimer's Society of Canada in honour of my grandparents, Joan and Rick Wickett.  

I swim competitively in Montreal and this year reached the Quebec AAA time standards.   For the past 4 years, with the support my grandparents, I have trained in open water swimming at the best camp in the world-- Camp Ak-O-Mak. 

Each summer I look forward to an open water race in Penticton.  I've done the 3.1km and 7.0km Rattlesnake Island swims, and this summer the Skaha lake Ultra Swim awaits.  

My grandma used to walk along the beach to keep an eye on me while I was training.  She has always been such a huge support.  My grandpa is also an athlete.   He has even done this same swim...Hopefully I'll beat his time ;) But all I really want to do though is finish and make them proud while raising money and awareness for this terrible disease.  

I would be so very grateful for your support.  I will be fundraising for the next 2 months until my swim on August 11th.   I hope that some day there will be a cure for Alzheimer's.