The 2016 Summer Olympic games may have wrapped up, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the Olympians will be disappearing just yet.

Next month, Swim Across America will return to Luther Burbank Park for its eighth annual event, with hundreds of swimmers submerging into Lake Washington for the cause of cancer research and awareness. Swim Across America is a national nonprofit organization, and the local chapter raises funds for beneficiary Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.

Nine Olympians will be on hand, including 2016 Olympic gold and bronze medalist Nathan Adrian and 1984 gold medalist and Mercer Island High School alumna Mary Wayte Bradburne.

Since the first Seattle-area event in 2009, Swim Across America has raised over $1.2 million to fund the Cellular Therapy Lab at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.

Last year, the event raised over $276,000 in support of immunotherapy research and pancreatic cancer treatment. This year’s fundraising goal is $300,000. So far, over $200,000 has already been raised, according to local Swim Across America co-director Scott Whelan. He added that money raised goes toward specific cancer treatment programs that might not otherwise receive funding.

“We’re all volunteers and we make sure 80 percent of the total funds go back to our beneficiary,” Whelan said.

Adrian will be swimming in honor of friend and fellow swimmer Matthew Benoit, who passed away in April from complications of Ewing’s sarcoma.

Bradburne has participated in seven of the eight local Swim Across America events at Luther Burbank Park. She said she comes out for her family members who have been impacted by cancer. She calls the event “a game-changer” and says it’s a privilege to participate.

“It brings people together,” Bradburne said. “It was founded by Olympians who were dedicated to raising money for cancer research, prevention and treatment through these swim-related events. You have this range of people who are passionate about swimming but also passionate about making a difference for all these people impacted by cancer through the funding of research. It’s a very emotional event but it’s also very fun.”

Swimmers can register, either individually or as a team, for a half-mile, one-mile or two-mile swim. There is also the Kid’s Splash 50-meter swim for children ages 5 to 11.

Volunteers may sign up to help with registration, serve as a lifeguard or help with safety as a paddle-boarder, boater or kayaker.

Bradburne used to participate as a swimmer, though she is no longer able to do so. But she enjoys reconnecting with the local swimming community. She said what she looks forward to most is meeting those who come out to support the cause.

“What these organizations are doing, Swim Across America and Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, it humbles me,” Bradburne said. “To meet cancer survivors who are participating and raising money and to be able to lend my name to the event is just such a privilege.”

For more information, or to register or donate, visit www.swimacrossamerica.org/seattle.