Divers going deep for cancer fundraiser

Mukilteo’s waterfront will become the site of a round-the-clock fundraiser this weekend as scuba divers take turns beneath the waters of Possession Sound to raise money for childhood cancer research.

Dive Around the Clock, a 24-hour dive-a-thon benefiting Seattle Children’s Hospital Cancer Research, begins at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21, and continues through 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, at the Mukilteo T-Dock dive site.

The annual event brings together members of the scuba diving community with the goal of keeping at least one pair of divers in the water throughout the entire 24-hour period.

“Cancer doesn’t sleep, and for one night, neither do we,” organizers said on the event website.

George Barron, a local diving enthusiast and organizer of the fundraiser, said, “It’s for a really good cause.  We’re collecting donations for Seattle Children’s Hospital cancer research and we’ve got a really nice T-shirt.”

On Monday, he urged the Mukilteo City Council to join them on the waterfront next to the Silver Cloud Hotel. “You're all invited to come down and share a donut with us,” he said. “Looking forward to seeing any and all of you there.”

Divers generally take shifts of 30 minutes to an hour and enter the water in buddy teams. Although Mukilteo is the event’s primary site, participants can dive elsewhere and still take part in the fundraiser.

Proceeds benefit Seattle Children’s Hospital and are intended to support research into the diagnosis, treatment and cure of childhood cancers.

Organizers are still seeking divers, particularly those willing to cover overnight shifts, as well as volunteers to help run the event.

Divers must be at least 18 and certified through a recognized scuba certification agency. Registration requires a minimum $35 donation. Divers who do not have a buddy can register individually and will be paired with another participant.

Non-divers also can support the event by donating or volunteering, and spectators are invited to stop by the waterfront and encourage participants. Anyone who donates $35 or more receives a Dive Around the Clock T-shirt.

Dive Around the Clock is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit operated entirely by volunteers. According to organizers, donations made to the organization through its online fundraising platform go toward supporting Seattle Children’s Hospital without credit card or service fees deducted from the contribution.

Organizers also encourage donors to check whether their employers offer charitable gift-matching programs, which could increase the amount contributed to the fundraiser.

For information, diver registration, donations or volunteer opportunities, visit divepnw.com/dive-around-the-clock-mukilteo. Questions can be directed to [george@divepnw.com](mailto:george@divepnw.com).