After several family members have battled cancer, a Vienna family is working together to raise awareness and funds so others can beat the disease.

Team Rieger, which includes several members of the Rieger family and their friends, will take part Aug. 3 in Swim Across America in Chicago.

Andy Rieger, one of the team members, said his team will be swimming at Ohio Street Beach.

“Cancer impacts so many of our lives. It has impacted my family way too much in recent years,” he said.

Andy Rieger said the family changed its name to Team Rieger for the event this year, not only to honor his brother, Matt, and first wife, Jordana, but the entire clan.

“We want to honor all those in our family and beyond who have been impacted by cancer either directly or indirectly. Both my father Gil and brother Thad have each had a battle with cancer; fortunately their diagnosis was very early, which led to a successful treatment outcome,” Andy Rieger said.

Matt Rieger was a 1989 Mathews High School graduate, and Jordana graduated in 1991.

She died in 2018 and Matt died in 2021, both from cancer.

He said Thad’s father-in-law, Bob McClain, also succumbed to cancer in 2011.

“We swim in honor of all of them and the numerous other family and friends that have been impacted by cancer,” Andy Rieger said.

Included in the team are: Andy Rieger, from Montgomery, Texas; parents, Gil and Casey Rieger of Vienna; Andy’s wife, Kristen (Van Fossan) Rieger; Thad Rieger of Lewis Center; Andy’s sister, Amy Bos of Heber City, Utah; nephew, Andrew Bos of Salt Lake City; and friends from Mathews High School.

Andy Rieger said last year, Team Rieger raised $20,000 that went to fund research focused on early detection for ovarian cancer, lung cancer research and breast cancer research, at RUSH University Medical Center.

He said in 2023 Swim Across America-Chicago raised over $300,000.

“This year we hope to eclipse last year’s totals for both Team Rieger and the overall Swim Across America-Chicago event,” Rieger said.

Gil Rieger of Vienna said the event has a special meaning for he and his wife, Casey, because of their son, Matt, who died of cancer and their daughter-in-law, Jordana.

He said the proceeds from the event benefit Rush Medical School in Chicago where Casey’s father, Dr. Thadeus Taylor, graduated in 1934.

“I am a cancer survivor. It is very meaningful to know that the money is used for cancer research to help benefit others. The swim event is for a good cause to help so many people. It is a meaningful experience to be part of,” Gil Rieger said.

He said the support his family has received over the years with their losses has been amazing.

Gil Rieger said the first time he swam, he was told by Andy the swim was 5K but then he learned there was a mile and half mile swim, with him choosing the half mile.

“The waters in Chicago are part of Lake Michigan and can be rough at times. When I swam in Houston, the water was not as rough and was a much easier swim,” Gil Rieger said.

He said he remembers when Andy was younger and swam at the YMCA, where he first met Kristen (Van Fossan) Rieger, who he married in July.

“It’s amazing to think they knew each other as kids in Trumbull County and then met uo again when they both lived in Texas,” Gil Rieger said.

For information on Swim Across America, visit SwimAcrossAmerica.org. If anyone is interested in supporting Team Rieger with a donation, they can also do so at that link or by mailing a check to Swim Across America, 8508 Park Road #389, c/o SAA- Chicago, Charlotte, NC 28210 (and make sure to put Team Rieger or the name of the swimmer they’d like to support on the memo line of the check.)