I’m Kate, a swimmer and cancer fighter. Growing up in Michigan, I’ve always had a crazy dream to swim the straights of Mackinac but was afraid I missed my chance. This summer marks 10 years fighting cancer and I want to celebrate that in a notable way. I got back in the pool to make my body stronger but it also awoke a sense of courage. I am raising funds to help offset the cost of equipment, travel, and fees associated with the 4.5 miles (as the crow flies) Mackinac bridge swim on July 26, 2025.

Swimming has been one of my life-long sources of exercise, enjoyment and places of peace. My first jobs were teaching swim lessons and lifeguarding. I swam during both of my pregnancies, on Masters swim teams in CO and KY, and it was a great source of healing after surgery for cancer and fighting lymphedema.

I have always been hugely motivated by making goals and living “normally” with metastatic cancer. I have chased down academic goals, returning to work, traveling, and raising my girls. But a “physical” goal seemed daunting since my body has already been through so much. Paired with huge amount of planning it takes to do a long open water swim and continued health challenges, I gave up on the Mackinac straights dream when we moved to Colorado in 2016.

I haven’t shared much of my cancer battle publicly after the first time I was “cured,” but unfortunately the last four years have brought multiple reoccurrences. It’s hard to be a forever patient and explain the complicated nature of the disease and choices made with doctors. I am now in the “treatable but not curable” category, and luckily the medicine is working, my scans are stable. I’m ever thankful for cancer research and new treatments that give me options and extend memory making.

This winter I realized that my targeted therapy/chemo treatment infusions I receive every 21 days were really starting to take their toll on my body and psyche. I felt weak, with nausea and fatigue and hadn’t been in the pool for at least a year. So in January, I reduced my teaching schedule to rest and I decided to join the YMCA to let myself swim at my own pace. That’s when I noticed they advertised a swim 100 miles in a year challenge. Naturally, like a crazy lady, I couldn’t pass that up!!! It gives me motivation to keep going and I feel a little stronger each time. I am currently over 50 miles in.

As I approach the 10 year mark, I started wondering if I could revisit my dream of the bridge swim. I found https://mackinacbridgeswim.com which organizes a race to support Michigan first responders. I swam a mile to see if I could make the qualifying time and I confidently did! So I signed up for the swim, it’s Saturday July 26. I am so excited. There’s no time like the present time.

Training has been challenging, one week off to recover from treatment and two weeks of training in the water. I feel stronger but am not sure if I will make it all the way. Please believe I am going to put my whole heart into it!

I want to bring you on the crossing with me, I plan on writing names on my tow buoy for those praying or pledging. Please reach out if you have a loved one who has passed from cancer or is fighting cancer and I will add their name to my buoy.

I have also designed a “Mighty Mack” swim sticker, and will send one to all donations of $20 or above.

Keep living and come cheer me on in July!