Support My 5th Year With Swim Across America!
My name is Kara Wolter (Herzfeld). I was diagnosed with metastatic osteosarcoma (bone cancer that started in my left knee and spread to my lungs) in March of 2017 at 26 years old. I went through 6 different chemotherapies. They were very harsh on my body and I have long lasting mental and physical effects. During the course of 3 years, I had multiple biopsies, procedures, and surgeries. I ultimately lost my left leg above my knee and had six lung wedge recession surgeries to remove tumors. I have been NED (no evidence of disease) for just over 3 (!!!) years now. My reoccurrence rate is very high, and I was only given 15 to 20% chance to live 5 years. I am now 33 years old and thriving as a cancer survivor.
I have been swimming since I was about 10 years old, I swam on a club team and moved on to middle school swim. I had a shoulder injury, so I was unable to swim high school, but I swam on my own all through high school! Swimming is one of the few activities that makes me feel normal now even with the loss of my leg. I also now work as an assistant coach for the same swim team I learned to swim with!
I have been swimming with Swim Across America Motor City Mile to raise money for the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center for 4 years now. All the money that I raise will be turned over to the Rogel Cancer Center to further research and treatment options for all different types of cancers. Most people know somebody or them themselves have been diagnosed with cancer. Please consider donating to this great cause!
If you are able, please support me by making a gift. The researchers we are funding are in our community and are the next generation of cancer pioneers. Without Swim Across America early stage funding, they are not able to conduct trials that can lead to breakthroughs that can save lives. Thank you for helping make an impact in the fight to find a cure!
