Dygert Launches Fundraiser for US Track Legend Sarah Hammer

Chloé Dygert is hoping to raise $55,000 to help cover enormous medical bills incurred by U.S. track legend Sarah Hammer-Kroening.

Hammer, a multiple world champion and three-time Olympian, is suffering devastating medical complications after receiving multiple surgeries to save her arm.

The now-42-year-old has been left paralysed at the diaphragm, causing difficulties breathing and the need for supplemental oxygen and ongoing rehabilitation.

Hammer already underwent seven surgeries and now requires further treatment to rectify these complications.

Dygert, herself a multiple world champion on the road and the track, wrote on her GoFundMe page that the costs were denied by Hammer’s insurance provider.

Hammer and Dygert became friends when they raced to silver in the Team Pursuit at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Hammer retired one year later and has been working in USA Cycling’s Paralympic program since then.

The GoFundMe page can be found here.

More than $30,000 dollars have been raised as of Friday morning.

Here are the key extracts from Hammer’s story, as written by Dygert:

“On May 14, 2025, Sarah suddenly experienced severe and uncontrollable pain in her left arm. The pain continued to worsen throughout the night, and by morning her arm had begun turning blue and she could no longer move her hand. She was rushed to the emergency department and ultimately life flighted for extensive emergency vascular surgery. In the span of just four days, Sarah underwent five surgeries in an effort to save her arm. Thankfully, that effort was successful, though the severity of those early days led to ongoing complications she continues to work through.

“Since then, Sarah has undergone seven surgeries total, with at least one additional surgery still ahead. Complications from these procedures led to paralysis of her diaphragm, significantly impacting her breathing. As a result, she continues to require supplemental oxygen for much of her day, along with ongoing medical care, treatment, and rehabilitation. It has been a long and exhausting road, one she has faced with remarkable resilience.

“The medical care required throughout 2025 has resulted in a significant and overwhelming amount of medical bills, many of which remain outstanding. In addition, Sarah is now facing the need for further surgery in 2026. Unfortunately, this procedure has been denied by insurance, and she continues to fight through appeals in hopes of getting it approved. At the same time, she must be prepared for the possibility of moving forward with surgery out of pocket if approval does not come in time. Managing existing medical bills while preparing for potential future costs has created an enormous financial strain.

“Funds raised will go directly toward medical bills and surgical expenses incurred in 2025, anticipated medical and surgical costs in 2026, prescriptions, treatments, and ongoing care, travel and related costs for specialized medical appointments, and therapy or rehabilitation as part of recovery.

“Any support helps. And if you are not in a position to donate, simply sharing this page means more than you know.”