Julie Hardt -
Last week, the family of Julie Hardt has started a GoFundMe page to help support the medical costs for Hardt.
Hardt was diagnosed with a cavernous malformation located in the midbrain of her brain stem. The group of blood vessels has caused bleeding and stroke-like symptoms that have worsened to the point of “needing an intensive, invasive and risky surgery.”
Hardt is prepping for surgery on Feb. 24 at UCSF.
According to the GoFundMe page, Hardt started with mild symptoms before discovering the issue.
Hardt serves as the coach of the Carson Tigersharks and coached the 2024 Paralympic swim team. She returned to the area in 2014, at age 32, to take over the program. She is also a Carson High School graduate.
Hardt went on to the University of Georgia where she graduated before going to get a PhD from the University of Western Australia.
At Georgia, Hardt won the NCAA championships as a freshman in the 800 relay. She was an eight-time All-American and a top-10 finalist for NCAA Woman of the Year honors.
Hardt also competed twice at the Olympic Trials. In 2001, she won a gold medal in Japan at the World Championships.
As of Monday morning, the GoFundMe had raised more than $67,000 to its $100,000 goal.
To donate to the GoFundMe: gofundme.com/f/swimming-up-stream-team-julie