Dear Lake Norman Swim Families,

My name is Caroline Kotterer and I am a 15-year-old swimmer at Lowes Lightning Competitive Swim team, I have been swimming for 10 years. This will be my 4th year of hosting Breaststroke 4 Hope.

Four years ago my mom was diagnosed and was being treated for breast cancer. We found out this year that her cancer has metastasized, so she has being undergoing even more treatment. While my daily ritual focuses on schoolwork and racing, I am also passionate about giving back and supporting causes that affect all of us. In May, I will be running a Breaststroke 4 Hope swim-a-thon on Saturday May 30th, 2015 from 8.00-12.00am at the Farms Homestead Pool. This swim-a-thon is a grass roots event that raises money for breast cancer education and awareness. Proceeds earned from this event supports the Women’s Breast Health Initiative who provides women without health insurance free mammograms by providing vouchers to local hospital or bringing mobile mammogram vans into their neighborhoods.

The Breaststroke 4 Hope swim-a-thon is a one hour event for each age group where 5 – 6 person teams compete in the most laps swum and the most money raised for the cause. Prior to the event, each team goes out and solicits pledges for per lap swum or flat donations. Each swimmer participating in the swim-a-thon will wear a pink swim cap to support the event. Also as tradition, the first lap each swimmer swims will be in breaststroke to honor the cause.

We are anticipating an enthusiastic crowd at the event and your support to spread the word throughout our community would be greatly appreciated. If there is any possibility that you could make a donation and participate that would be awesome. Please let me know if you can support us, you can contact us at or 704-830-8664. If you have further questions or need more information please contact me.

Thank you for your consideration,

Caroline Kotterer