Tri to Make a Difference

AT Children's Project
This past winter I had the privilege of meeting the Veldink family. The Veldink's lives have been changed by A.T. because two of their children, Kate (age nine) and Olivia (age six) have both been diagnosed with Ataxia-Telangiectasis (A.T.). A.T. is a fatal genetic disease characterized by progressive weakening of the immune system, nervous system, and other bodily systems. Affected children typically develop difficulty walking, problems with balance, abnormal eye movements, and slurred speech as well as chronic lung infections and increased risk of developing cancer, particularly leukemia and lymphoma. They are usually wheelchair bound by the age of ten. Though some diagnosed with A.T. live into adulthood, their life expectancy is reduced tremendously. I was honored to represent A.T. in January as I raced the Disney Half Marathon in support of the A.T. Children's Project. My life will never be the same after meeting these amazing families that struggle with this rare disease every day. Learn how you can make a difference in the lives of these kids and families that struggle with A.T. by visiting www.communityatcp.org

Click here to meet my friends Kate and Olivia    




HUNTER JOINS THE A-T CHILDREN'S PROJECT AT THE WALT DISNEY WORLD  MARATHON WEEKEND THIS  JANUARY  

The A-T Children’s Project announced that Olympic triathlete Hunter Kemper will be running the WALT DISNEY WORLD® Half Marathon on Saturday, January 10, 2009 with the A-T Children’s Project. Runners and walkers who register to participate in the 5K, Half Marathon, Full Marathon, or Goofy Race and Half Challenge for Hunter Kemper’s team through the A-T Children’s Project will be his guests at the weekend festivities including two dinners. Registration through WALT DISNEY WORLD® is sold out for this extremely popular race weekend, but a limited number of people who commit to raising $600 for the A-T Children’s Project can still participate. Members of Kemper’s team who raise double the minimum – a total of $1,200 – will also be invited to attend a special reception with Kemper during the weekend. Kemper was raised in Orlando, Florida and is excited to return home to race to help find a cure for children with ataxia-telangiectasia.

JOIN HUNTER'S TEAM!

SPONSOR HUNTER as he races the Disney Half Marathon.  Your dollar might be the dollar that funds the research that finds a cure for A-T!




HUNTER KEMPER OLYMPIC T-SHIRTS STILL AVAILABLE

To commemorate his journey, Hunter has created a keepsake for his fans that would also help find a cure or life-improving therapies for A-T.  The entire proceeds of these t-shirts will benefit the A-T Children's Project in honor of Kate and Olivia. 

Pricing: Adults - $20; Youth - $15 

Click here to purchase your Hunter Kemper t-shirt today!

Becky Lavelle has been a good friend and teammate of mine for many years.  In December, 2007, Becky experienced the tragic loss of her twin sister Jennifer Bankston and nephew Graham Gibbs Bankston.  In honor and memory of her sister, Becky has helped create Jenny's Light.  The mission of Jenny's LIght is to improve detection and treatment of all perinatal mood disorders such as postpartum depression by funding continuing education, research and supportive efforts.