So who’s afraid of a little cold water? Certainly not Traci Brammer whose memory we honor with our Aug. 16 Open Water Swim across Grand Lake to benefit Heart of the Mountains Hospice.

Traci swam the half-mile across the lake last summer the day after her final chemo treatment for the cancer she had fought bravely for several years. She was supported in the water with her friends Karen Conger and Jenny Beltman and warmly welcomed ashore with towel and hugs by husband John. Most inspiring, but that was Traci.

A well known advocate throughout the valley for children’s playgrounds, sports leagues and Girl Scouts, Traci lived her life to the fullest with a vigorous press-on attitude despite serious medical challenges. Hospice encourages that same attitude with patients facing terminal diagnosis. We want everyone to live each day to the fullest with comfort and dignity, surrounded by family and friends with quality medical support from our team of nurses and therapists.

So we honor Traci’s spirit with this year’s swim.

Celebrate the beginning of the end of summer and jump in for our Open Water Swim across Grand Lake for a great cause. You can register on line for the event at Grandcountyhospice.org or call Deb at 970-726-8782.

The swimmers meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, at the Grand Lake waterfront, the beach area in front of Western Riviera Motel. A shuttle bus will taxi swimmers to Point Park where the swim will start at 11 a.m. Boats and rescue craft accompany the participants across the half-mile route, and the swim usually takes between 15 minutes and half an hour.

Registration fee is $100, and many swimmers collect pledges from family and friends for each tenth of a mile swum or for each degree of water endured. We encourage wet suits, flippers, water wings, any assistance desired. This is not a race … it’s just FUN.

As Traci would say, just jump in, challenge friends to join you, raise lots of pledges, and ENJOY the thrill of chilly water.