When Sarah Wiseman was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2022, it came as a complete shock. Though her mother had been diagnosed with the same cancer in her 60s, Sarah’s genetic marker testing had come back negative. It was a routine mammogram that led to her breast cancer diagnosis.

“I had a routine mammogram that was concerning, which led to further diagnostic testing—an ultrasound and a biopsy,” Sarah explained.

“I had a seed inserted via biopsy, then underwent a partial mastectomy/lumpectomy and lymph node removal during surgery. One lymph node tested positive for metastasis. After healing from surgery, I received radiation treatment on my lymph nodes and left breast — 20 treatments in total. I’m grateful to have had access to a tumor test that evaluated the effectiveness of chemotherapy on my specific tumor. The results came back below the threshold for needing chemo!”

This year, Sarah celebrates her remission and looks forward to swimming in the 4th Annual Swim Across America – Nashville. Funds raised from the event support Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC), where Sarah received treatment.

Sarah swam as a child but really fell into the sport watching her children swim on club teams and in college. Once she got the all-clear from her doctors, Sarah knew exactly how to get her strength back while doing something she loved.

“After I healed from my surgeries, I couldn’t wait to swim. I joined the local Masters team, and thanks to my friend Chris McPherson, I was introduced to Swim Across America,” said Sarah.

Chris McPherson, along with Alyssa Corb and Laurin Bobo, is a co-event director for SAA-Nashville.

“This community event is a wonderful way for me to give back to the doctors, nurses, and caregivers who took such great care of me during treatment,” Sarah said.

Swim Across America’s guiding principle is that money raised locally stays local — something that resonated deeply with Sarah. She takes great pride in supporting an organization that directly benefits her community, especially given her firsthand experience with how much cancer treatment has evolved.

“In the past, having a positive lymph node would have meant automatic chemotherapy. Today, I am closely monitored by my medical oncologist and surgical oncologist at Vanderbilt Breast Center. And I’m proud to be raising funds for others in our community—people who will be treated at VICC, just like I was,” said Sarah. “I am a beneficiary of the incredible advances in cancer treatment. My mother didn’t have access to these options during her fight. She really struggled, and I believe newer-generation treatments made my journey much easier.”

Now in remission, Sarah is grateful that Swim Across America allows her to support two of her greatest passions: swimming and the cancer care team at VICC.

“I just feel incredibly blessed to have received the life-saving treatment I did,” Sarah shared. “Swimming has had the best impact on my health, and since my cancer diagnosis, I’ve embraced a much healthier lifestyle. I love that SAA allows me to give back through two of my favorite things: swimming and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.”

If you’re inspired to support Sarah and team Wisemans Wack Cancer, give here.