According to Scott Vincent, president of RSV Pools, a pool management firm, swimmers have been soliciting pledges for the number of laps they hope to complete during six two-hour swimming sessions, the first of which took place Monday at Northlake Village community pool No. 1 in Germantown.

More than 30 swimmers came together for the event, including Brian Moritt, 7, of Germantown who collected $165 worth of pledges.

"I feel really good," he said. "I'm swimming hard for a great cause."

Other swim sessions, all of which are open to the general public, will take place today from 2-4 p.m. at Flower Hill Community Pool, 8100 Mountain Laurel Lane, Gaithersburg, where a lifeguard was recently diagnosed with the disease; Thursday from 3-5 p.m. at Waters Landing Community Pool B, 13501 Waters Landing Drive, Germantown; Thursday from 6-8 p.m. at Lake Hallowell Swim Club, 2100 Petersfield Place, Olney; Thursday from 6-8 p.m. at Waters Landing Community Pool A, 20000 Father Hurley Boulevard, Germantown; and Friday from 5-7 p.m. at Kingsview Village pool, 13901 Coachman Circle, Germantown.