On October 17, 2026, the Usher Syndrome Society will host a swim from Alcatraz to shore in honor of a crossing that Rebecca Alexander completed more than a decade ago. The event will include 20 swimmers in total: 10 individuals living with Usher syndrome and 10 support swimmers.

The Alcatraz crossing is symbolic of the challenges of living with Usher syndrome. Usher syndrome causes progressive vision and hearing loss, and during the swim, most hearing devices must be removed while swimmers navigate dark, unpredictable open water. The experience offers a rare glimpse into the uncertainty and progressive sensory loss individuals with Usher syndrome face every day.

Rebecca is believed to be the first known person with Usher syndrome to successfully swim from Alcatraz to shore. Now, more than ten years later, with further vision loss and no functional hearing without the use of implants, she will return to the water alongside nine other swimmers living with Usher syndrome and ten support swimmers to raise awareness and funds for Usher syndrome research.

In addition to the Alcatraz swim, supporters from anywhere in the world are invited to participate in a virtual swim fundraiser. Participants can create their own personal fundraising page and complete a 1.25 mile swim at their own pace, in their own location, anytime between June 15-September 30, 2026. Whether swimming in a pool, lake, ocean, or other open water, every participant will help raise critical awareness and funds for Usher syndrome research while standing in solidarity with the Usher syndrome community.

Create your own individual or team fundraising page here today to support the Alcatraz swimmers or participate in your own virtual swim challenge. Every fundraiser and every mile swum helps bring us closer to treatments for Usher syndrome.

USH X Swim Alcatraz 2026

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Team Members