Swimmers to Lap Up Funds For Teammate Fighting Lymphoma

Greg Geiss is a competitor. 

The Jefferson resident spent 12 years competing with the Lake Shawnee Swim Team, and at the high school level with the Jefferson Falcons until he graduated in 2012.

But Geiss’ strongest challenger didn’t come in the water, rather, it came in the form of a potentially fatal disease.

In December 2012, Geiss was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Just as he battled so many opponents in the water, he did so against the disease.

Six months of chemotherapy treatments led Geiss to officially be in remission as of June 18, according to his mother, Lauren Geiss.

And now Greg Geiss wants to help those afflicted by the disease, and has brought along some help.

On Thursday, Aug. 1, the Lake Shawnee Swim Team will swim laps for money in a fundraiser for Geiss, who is preparing to embark on a Light the Night walk in Morristown in October.

According to Lauren Geiss, the fundraiser, set to begin at 6 p.m. at the lake, was the idea of the team’s coach Carolyn Sior. Geiss said there are approximately 40 members on the swim team who will take part in the fundraiser.

The funds will help Greg and his team of family and friends – about 15 in all – reach their goal for the October walk. That goal is set at $3,500, and the team has about $2,000 raised so far.

Now in remission, Greg Geiss is planning on returning to his studies at William Paterson University in September and competing with the Pioneer Swim Team, his mother said.

For those who cannot make the Lake Shawnee fundraiser, more information and donations can be made at lightthenight.org. Search for Team Geiss.