Beneficiaries
— CRS IS 100% PURPOSE-DRIVEN
The inaugural Chicago River Swim was an overwhelming success. Although the event had to be relocated, it still donated $200,000 and stayed true to its mission of supporting ALS research and providing water safety lessons for Chicago's youth.
The 2025 event is committed to creating a much larger impact for our community.
Beneficiaries
ALS RESEARCH
Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine
A Long Swim is the charitable organization behind the Chicago River Swim, who uses open water and marathon-distance swimming events to raise funds for ALS research. Over the years, this team has generated more than $2 million for collaborative ALS research at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, just a few blocks from the Chicago River itself.
The funds provided by A Long Swim benefit Northwestern's Ozdinler Lab. In collaboration with Dr. Silverman, the team identified AKV-9, a new compound which improves diseased brain neurons in ALS. AKV-9 has been granted orphan drug status and received FDA approval to start Phase 1 clinical trials.Their investment in ALS research has been very rewarding, as some of the early projects funded by A Long Swim are now in early stages of FDA approval.
Dr. Hande Ozdinler accepts a $150,000 contribtion to support the Ellen McConnell Blakeman ALS Research Fellowship.
YOUTH SWIM LESSONS
Salvation Army Kroc Center Chicago
Event proceeds will host dedicated learn-to-swim programming for 2,000 local, at-risk youth through Chicagoland organizations. These programs will highlight the importance of swim-safety as a critical life skill, and integrate youth into the event weekend experience (on-land, until they're 18 and ready for a long-distance swim of their own). More details on this program will be released soon.
Lt. Shanell Debela of the Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center accepts a $50,000 contribution to provide swim lessons to 2,000 children in Chicago's underserved communities.
