On November 23, 2022 we lost Dana Wehrmann after a tough battle with leukemia and the long term affects of COVID. Dana was an incredible wife to Scott for 25 years and a mother to three children, Siler, Ellie, and Max. She absolutely loved being a mom. Raising her children was her biggest achievement in life, she was so beyond proud of them. She was a beloved swim coach at Christian Brothers College High School and Incarnate Word Academy. Dana truly had a love for swimming, she was everyone’s biggest cheerleader and wanted everyone to succeed. She put her heart and soul into everything she did and touched so many lives.

Caring for others is what Dana did best, which is what led her to become a nurse. For the past two years, Dana suffered long-term affects of COVID, yet she never complained. She refused to allow anything from keeping her from making memories with her husband and children. She was strong and determined. Just four days before she lost her battle, she was at the pool cheering for her daughter Ellie, the following day she was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. This shows the love she had for her family as well as her love for swimming.

Swim Across America was one of Dana’s favorite events. She had attended the last six years and helped her children Ellie and Max fundraise. When Ellie went to college, Dana helped her get the KU swim team involved in the event. For the past two years, the team would drive in the night before and stay at the Wehrmann’s house. Dana had acquired and set up an air mattress for all 30 girls. She cooked dinner for everyone and made breakfast in the morning. She made sure that everyone felt at home and was excited about the event. She was Swim Across Americas biggest fan and wanted to get the most people to participate in such an incredible event.

This year, Swim Across America has a little different of a meaning to the KU Swim and Dive team. Not only are we swimming to honor Dana, but also to support the cause by raising money for the network of doctors and researchers, who are the next generation of cancer pioneers developing new cures and treatments for this disease. Without Swim Across America’s early stage funding, they are not able to conduct trials that can lead to breakthroughs that can save lives. Remember, one out of two men and one out of three women will be diagnosed with cancer. Help us change that.

You can make a donation online by clicking on the 'Donate Now' button on this page. 

If you prefer to donate via check, please send check donations to Swim Across America - St Louis, PO Box 490, O'Fallon, IL 62269.

Check should be made out to Swim Across America but please include a note mentioning our team or the swimmer you are supporting!