MIAMI -- A South Florida swim team came together on Friday to raise money for a teammate who lost his leg to cancer.

When students were asked to stay after school on Friday, they weren't excited until they found out why. It was to help another student and friend who has inspired the school and a community.

For Miami Country Day School students, the idea was simple: The more they swim, the more they help Harry Greenberg swim.

Cancer forced him to have his leg amputated, but he never lost the will to swim and stay athletic.

"It's tough to go out seeing your friends playing basketball, football, you know, and you're sitting on the sidelines," Greenberg said. "It's something I'll be able to get back into."

Getting back into surfing, Greenberg said, is what he really wants.

So, the swim team hosted a Swimathon at the school's pool to help Greenberg buy a special surfing prosthetic that is still being developed.

"Basically so I can surf, get back in the water, wakeboard and do all the things I love," Greenberg said.

On Friday, Country Day students swam lap after lap. The team said Greenberg's drive to stay active motivated them in the pool.

"It's amazing that he does that much," teammate Carlos Cannon said. "That he comes out here and he still does what he loves to do."

"It feels amazing to have this much support," Greenberg said.

Since the surgery, he said he hasn't stopped, and he insisted on doing the NBC 6 interview standing up.

"I try to make the best out of every situation, because I've been dealt some crappy cards lately," he said.

Greenberg's father said the school is his son's guardian angel. He said the chemotherapy was tough, but not as tough as his son.

"I think he's aware that other people are looking up to him and seeing how he's dealing with the ordeal, and I think it's made him stronger," Mark Greenberg said.

Greenberg said his situation has taught him that one strong heart can take him further than two strong legs.

The leg Greenberg needs to surf costs about $50,000. The Swimathon raised more than $33,000, and the team is still collecting checks.

Anyone who would like to help Greenberg can e-mail reardons@miamicountryday.org.