The Dorset Dolphin Swim Team of Marietta, Georgia took to the water on Saturday and raised over $11,000 (and counting!) for Hydrocephalus Research. This marked the 3rd Annual Dolphin Dash for Hydrocephalus! This incredible Team Hydro event, organized by parents Anna & TJ Beck and Crysie Grelecki, reached new heights this year by increasing not only the amount of dollars raised, but also the number of participants swimming to beat this difficult condition affecting the brain.
This year Dolphins recruited coaches, friends, family and even swimmers from opposing teams to help them in their quest to find a cure for the life-threatening condition. Each swimmer raised much needed research funds and awareness with every stroke, while on-land supporters and donors cheered them on from the deck. A local radio station was also on hand to spin tunes and support these amazing young people in their quest to help others through their swimming.
The day got off to an inspiring start when young Dolphin swimmers Lily and Parker, who both live with shunted hydrocephalus, addressed the crowd along with their parents and Coach (who coincidentally has a young nephew named Charlie with hydrocephalus). Lily and Parker then swam the first lap together as the rest of the swimmers cheered them on. Incredibly, these 3 young people have already endured 9 brains surgeries in an attempt to treat their hydrocephalus!
Lily and Parker’s presence and the inspiring words spoken, made the cause real for all those gathered that morning. Every person present was moved by the courage of these young kids who live with ongoing uncertainty every day–knowing they could need another brain surgery at any moment.
The group also learned more about the condition of hydrocephalus itself– how doctors are not yet certain what causes it, how it can happen to people of all ages from tiny premature babies to older adults, how doctors can’t cure it, and about what it feels like to live with a condition for which the only treatment requires brain surgery!
Thank you Lily and Parker for being willing to share your story to help us raise awareness and research funds which will help others like you in the years to come!
Thank you also to ALL the Swimmers, donors, sponsors, and on-land supporters who helped make this year’s Dolphin Dash such an enormous success!
As with every Team Hydro event, EVERY dollar raised will be used to support research aimed at finding new, non-surgical treatments and ultimately a cure for hydrocephalus! We cant wait for the day that Lily, Parker, Charlie and others with hydrocephalus will not need undergo any more brain surgery.
If you want to support the cause you can still donate to the Dolphin Dash here!
You can learn more about Team Hydro Research here.
Check out pictures from the event below.
Go Dolphins!
Go Team Hydro!
Together we WILL Fund a Cure for Hydrocephalus!
Swimmers of all ages participated in this great event!
With each stroke, swimmers raised funds and awareness for hydrocephalus!
Lily and Parker are two swimmers on the Dolphins Swim Team who live with shunted hydrocepahlus.
Volunteers help keep track of all the laps!