English Channel Swim

Fundraising campaign by ecadventure
  • US$520.00
    Donated So Far
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About Me:

My name is Ika Kovacikova and I am currently training to swim the English Channel on August 17th and 18th, 2013 with the help of my friend, Annie Hamilton! I am a rising senior at liberal arts school just outside of Boston. I have been swimming my whole life and love spending time in the water. I would like to ask for your support of an important endeavor that will help to fund a worthwhile violence prevention program. 

About the English Channel:

The English Channel is a 21-mile swim from Dover, England to the coast of France. The English Channel is also one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world.  Swimmers must navigate through boats and tides, and they must be able to withstand the 60°F water temperature without wetsuits. I am not a seasoned open water swimmers, but after swimming competitively year-round since the age of six, the goal of swimming the English Channel does not only feel like an attainable one, it also feels like a natural one. The swim would not be complete without the support of coaches, friends, family, and  boat captain Mr. Fred Mardle. 

About the Center for Injury Research and Prevention:

Furthermore, I am motivated by another goal: to help raise awareness and funds for hospital-based violence intervention programs across the country and more specifically for the Violence Intervention Program at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). During the summer of 2012, I worked and conducted research for this program at CHOP’s Center for Injury Research and Prevention (CIRP). 

The CHOP Violence Intervention Program (VIP) promotes a “trauma-informed” approach to helping patients who have been victims of nonfatal gunshot wounds, stabbings, or other physical assault injuries and admitted to CHOP’s emergency department or Trauma Unit. A trauma-informed approach considers how someone’s past experience affects his or her success in their clinical treatment. Since victims of interpersonal violence are 88 times more likely to retaliate or become reinjured after trauma, the overall program goal is to break the pattern of violence.

The VIP provides ongoing social and emotional support for youth who were seen at CHOP, and evaluates how this trauma-informed approach promotes positive relationships between patients, health care and social services, and connects them with beneficial community-focused programs in their neighborhoods.

 I have really enjoyed my experience as part of the research team here at CIRP. Swimming the English Channel in August of 2013 would be my way of giving back to the center, and would support efforts to prevent violence. After raising enough money to cover the initial cost of our swim, I plan to direct fundraising efforts towards violence intervention research at the Center for Injury Research and Prevention at CHOP.

Also, please feel free to visit my blog: ecadventure.blogspot.com to read about all my mishaps, experiences, and successes. As always, if you have any questions feel free to contact me at [email protected] or Annie at [email protected]

Thank you in advance for your support, kindness and generosity, 

Ika 

Organizer

Donors

  • Joel Fein
  • Donated on Sep 05, 2013
  • So proud of Ika and her uphill swim - she is as tenacious an athlete as she is a researcher.

$100.00
  • Guest
  • Donated on Aug 19, 2013
  • YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION! GO IKA!!!

$50.00
  • Guest
  • Donated on Aug 18, 2013
Amount Hidden

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Donors & Comments

9 donors
  • Joel Fein
  • Donated on Sep 05, 2013
  • So proud of Ika and her uphill swim - she is as tenacious an athlete as she is a researcher.

$100.00
  • Guest
  • Donated on Aug 19, 2013
  • YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION! GO IKA!!!

$50.00
  • Guest
  • Donated on Aug 18, 2013
Amount Hidden
  • Karina
  • Donated on Aug 10, 2013
  • I wish I could be there. LOVE YOU, Ika! And I'll be cheering for you all aboard the Sam Allen as well! <3 always, Karina

Amount Hidden
  • Rick Sam
  • Donated on Aug 10, 2013
  • Good luck with your swim! Best, Your old scuba instructor

$100.00
  • Karen Cox
  • Donated on Jul 24, 2013
  • Ika, this is awesome! It's exciting to know you and watch you go for it! ~ Karen

Amount Hidden
  • Signe
  • Donated on Jul 22, 2013
  • SO PROUD OF YOU IKA!

$20.00
  • Guest
  • Donated on Jul 18, 2013
  • The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person's determination. You're going to do it. We know you can. Just keep on swimming. :)

$25.00
  • Phyllis & Caitlin
  • Donated on Jul 17, 2013
  • Ika - We are so proud of you and this challenge you have taken on. Our thoughts are with you to give you all the strength you may need although we know you are one strong cookie! Can't wait to hear of your adventures. xoxo

$75.00

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