Why I'm Swimming the Channel

by John Heineman, UI student

P lunging into the frigid, murky waters of Iowa City's Lake Macbride to swim 35,000-50,000 meters per week is now second nature. I push my body to its limits in hopes of successfully swimming the English Channel in July of 2007. The 19 nautical miles from Shakespeare Beach, England to Cap Gris Nez, France are laden with unpredictable tides, winds, shipping traffic, shoals of jellyfish, and sub-60 -degree F waters. In preparation for the 15 hour trek, I supplement swimming (combining independent workouts and competing on the University of Iowa water polo team) with dry land training, follow a strict diet, and study the channel's geography and tides to avoid muscle injuries, cramps, and hypothermia. I find comfort in the lonely waters by remembering the reason for my swim--raising funds for the Iowa City Free Medical Clinic (FMC), the clinic that showed me the meaning of compassion. My primary focus is understanding why over 45.8 million Americans (including 8.3 million children) currently live without medical insurance. Without the FMC's services, over 5,000 uninsured Iowa City area patients would have nowhere else to turn. Due to this high demand, the clinic was able to raise enough funds to relocate from the Wesley Center basement to an old dental office, doubling the number of examination rooms and parking spaces. Yet, it is still necessary to improve its medical equipment and supplies, testing abilities, staff numbers (even though most are volunteers), advertising, and other means necessary to provide adequate health care. My lifetime role model, Lance Armstrong, who I was able to cycle with on the 2006 Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI), is now devoting his life to raise money and awareness for cancer research through the LiveSTRONG Foundation. Armstrong, as a testicular cancer survivor, has proven that our world of fences, rules, and conventions is a constantly negotiated boundary and that it is possible to move it. His determination continually motivates me in my Channel swim training. More importantly, Armstrong's compassion has inspired me to attempt to raise $19,000 ($1,000 for each nautical mile) to allow the FMC to meet the health care demands of its uninsured patients. I hope that you will seriously consider joining us to encourage wide civic engagement to serve as a metaphoric defibrillator to politicians' hearts.

As the motto of the FMC states, "Health care is not a privilege, but a basic human right." Please help us make this aphorism a reality. Keep posted while John makes his attempt John Heineman in training for his July 2007 attempt at swimming the English Channel. John hopes his effort will raise $19,000 for the care of uninsured patients at Iowa City's Free Medical Clinic. www.freemedicalclinic.org Please join the Channel Swim sponsors, because we still have some money to raise to reach $19,000 to match John's 19 miles. Remember, donations to the FMC are tax-deductible. You can send a check to Free Medical Clinic 2440 Towncrest Drive Iowa City, IA 52240 or click on the PayPal icon below. In the PayPal memo, please write that your donation is for the "CHANNEL SWIM."

Thank you to our "Crossing for Care" sponsors!

Keep posted while John makes his attempt

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