Although he had never participated in the event before, Patrick Giraudo ‘27PA decided to support the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania by joining the group’s Polar Plunge. He also saw it as an opportunity to support a meaningful cause while also creating a new memory with his classmates.
Uh, check that. What Giraudo did was make a very cold new memory with his classmates in the Salus at Drexel University Physician Assistant (PA) Studies program.
“We didn’t do anything to prepare; we just showed up and hopped into the pool,” he said. “It wasn’t too bad. We were only in the water for about five seconds.”
Giraudo and six of his classmates from the Elkins Park, Pennsylvania based campus were one of 10 teams to participate in the event which was held Feb. 21, 2026 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
The Polar Plunge is a fundraiser for the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania. Participants raised $75 each for the opportunity to jump into an ice-cold pool in the middle of winter.
Since 2015, Special Olympics of Pennsylvania has raised millions of dollars to help support its athletes across the commonwealth. The Philadelphia plunge was one of nine completed around the state that raised a total of $14,000 to support more than 15,000 athletes. Every dollar raised helps support programming for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in their communities.
“I think an event like this is important because it provides a space and time to connect with classmates and get to know each other better, plus it’s for a good cause,” said Giraudo.
As a hallmark of the Salus at Drexel program, whether it’s close to home or across the globe, all of the programs on the Elkins Park campus have an innate focus on advancing the world of health, wellness and public service.
“It also encourages us to be involved in our communities,” he said. “I would definitely do it again. It was cool to see how many people came out to support the Special Olympics and we got to see how much it meant to the athletes.”
