Swim Across America hosted its 15th Tampa Bay Open Water Swim on May 9 at Spa Beach Park in St. Petersburg. Since its inception, this charity swim has generated more than $2 million for pediatric cancer research at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.

Swimmers of all ages and abilities showed up. The non-competitive gathering invited participants to stroke through ocean waters while raising funds for clinical trials, new treatments, and patient programs.

“Over $2 million has been raised since this charity swim was started. It all stays in this community and funds pediatric research with our beneficiary, Johns Hopkins All Children’s. It’s very meaningful,” said Rob Butcher, CEO of Swim Across America, according to Fox 13 News.

Many who participated carry personal ties to cancer. Piper Bozeman, 13, lost a relative to the disease. Now she swims for a neighbor — a kid battling brain cancer.

“Sadly, one of them passed away and now I know one of my close neighbors actually she’s a kid and she’s fighting brain cancer right now. So, I just feel very passionate about keep swimming and showing support for everyone in my community,” said Piper Bozeman.

Geiger Feliciano, 15, believes the research funding might yield a cure. Cade Clark, 16, performed the national anthem before diving in. He swims with dreams of a world without cancer.

Proceeds from the swim back research that trains children’s immune systems to attack cancer cells without radiation or chemotherapy. Jenine Rabin, Executive Vice President at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Foundation, explained how early investments from the group launched research studies that grew into clinical trials.

“The three words you never want to hear is there is cancer. But if you do, you want to hear these next three words, there is hope. And when you come to a morning like this, there is Hope,” said Rob Butcher.

Swim Across America runs 27 chapters across the nation. Each chapter hosts charity swims to raise money for cancer research.

This year’s swim started at 6:45 a.m. and wrapped up by 11:30 a.m. Spa Beach Park sits at 600 2nd Ave. NE in St. Petersburg.