A grid of white and light blue dots forming the Usher Syndrome Society Logo

USH X Swim Alcatraz 2026 fundraiser • October 17, 2026

Bella & brownie

Meet Bella & brownie
Support Bella & browie

Meet Bella and brownie, who will swim from alcatraz to shore on October 17, 2026 for our USH x Swim Alcatraz fundraiser. All proceeds from this event go directly towards research for all types of Usher syndrome.

We’re Bella and brownie, one of the USH pairs swimming from Alcatraz on October 17 to raise awareness about Usher Syndrome. 

We met about 15 years ago because of our shared experience with USH – Bella has USH 1b and brownie’s son, Galen, also has 1b. Bella and her family were the first people brownie met who knew what USH was and they’ve continued to work together to support others with USH. 

 

Bella will take on the incredible challenge of swimming from Alcatraz to the San Francisco shore with limited sight and hearing—a journey that will test her strength, courage, and determination while inspiring others to believe that no obstacle is too great to overcome. Brownie is excited and honored to help Bella navigate the swim from Alcatraz! Please help us raise awareness by sharing our story and funds for research by donating if you can! 
A selfie photo of Bella and brownie. They are both smiling wide and looking at the camera.
A group photo of 5 people standing on a hiking trail. Two people standing in the back of the group are holding two of the younger kids in front of them.
A group photo of Bella, brownie, and a young man standing between them. They are standing indoors and smiling and the boy in the middle has his arms out around both Bella and brownie.
A photo of a young woman, Bella, and a little boy, Galen standing together in what appears to be a classroom. There is a door behind them with cut paper artwork. Both Bella and Galen wear glasses and look ahead at the camera.
A group photo of people standing outside in front of the water during a sunset. There are 4 people in the photo, they are all smiling and looking a the camera.
A group photo with 8 people holding a large marathon sign that says "26.2 Marathon Congrats Dave #USHEQX"

Every donation directly advances critical research initiatives aimed at finding treatments and a cure.