From the coast to a cure – around 550 people swam in the Long Island Sound in hopes of saving a life at the Swim Across America event on Saturday.

It began at the Larchmont Yacht Club.

"We're making waves to fight cancer and we do that through a 2K, 5K, or even a 10K course out here," said event director Jean Fufidio.

She said the support will help them raise around $1.6 million for local organizations that do cancer research.

"Our beneficiaries are Memorial Sloan Kettering, Weill Cornell, Columbia Presbyterian Children's Hospital and the Cancer Support Team," Fufidio said.

About 20% of the proceeds directly support pediatric cancer research, an element that she believes makes the event unique.

"So, we're really proud of what we do and we really want to make a difference not just for adults, but also the kids in our community," said Fufidio.