Get more out of your sport by giving back
By Nan Kappeler
July 2, 2008 -- After a failed kidney transplant in 1993, doctors told Shad Ireland he had just six months to live. Weighing just 75 pounds, he said he was depressed and angry about his life. Then one day he found himself lying on the couch at his mother’s home watching the Hawaii Ironman on television. He promised himself that would be him—someday.
Ireland said he had no previous athletic background when he decided to make good on his promise. He had spent most of his lifetime confined to a chair five hours at a time, four days a week, watching the tubes connected to his body circulate his blood through a machine to an artificial kidney. Against doctor’s advice, he began to swim, bike and run.
Prior to the 2004 Lake Placid Ironman, he received 2,000 e-mails wishing him encouragement. He became the first dialysis patient to ever complete an Ironman, proving to doctors completing a triathlon could be done, and showing other dialysis patients they can improve the quality of their lives through exercise.
Ireland is just one of an increasing number of triathletes turning to the triathlon community to spread awareness and raise money for their cause. The result has been not only inspiration for others to join the sport, but the efforts from groups, foundations, teams and individuals have raised millions of dollars for numerous causes and people in need.
“I received a letter from a woman who was inspired to go back outdoors. When I participate in triathlons, it gives others with kidney failure hope,” Ireland said.
Ireland’s involvement in the sport led to the formation of the Shad Ireland foundation in 2004. Team Ireland followed several years later. Members choose to race in triathlons, marathons and other endurance events. All proceeds provided funding to kidney patients who wish to improve their fitness levels.
In the spring of 2005, Jon Blias, a 20-year triathlon veteran was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. After doctors told him there were no treatments or cure for the fatal disease, he declared a “war on ALS.” He started a foundation and called upon the support of the triathlon community to promote awareness and raise research money.
Later that year, Blais, at the age of 34, became the first terminally ill patient to complete the Hawaii Ironman, attracting national television coverage. The Blazeman’s legendary roll across the finish line is often repeated by team members and friends to honor Jon and show their support towards finding a cure for ALS. Prior to the Hawaii Ironman that year, Blais was asked by a reporter what he would do if he couldn’t even walk across the finish.
“I’ll roll,” Blais said, and triathletes have been rolling across finish lines worldwide every since.
After Jon’s death in 2007, the Blais family and key volunteers decided to move the foundation forward.
“Jon utilized the triathlon community to spread the word about ALS because he knew triathletes were committed. They are givers, not takers,” Jon’s father, Bob Blais said. “We wanted to continue his vision to raise funds to cure ALS.”
By attending big name triathlons and events each month such as the Eagleman 70.3 in Cambridge, Md and the Rhode Island 70.3 in Providence, R.I., the Blazeman foundation for ALS has continued Jon’s mission to find a cure for mysterious disease that attacks the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Death occurs usually within two to four years.
The Blazeman foundation now has 135 official Warriors racing to raise money for ALS. The foundation recently donated $100,000 for ALS research at Northwestern University’s School of Medicine.
Having lost or knowing someone with a life-threatening disease has been the inspiration for thousands of people to enter their first triathlon though the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training program. Participants pledge to raise money for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma research and patient services. An estimated 40,000 alumni have raised $120 million.
“Eighty to 85 percent of our team members have never done an athletic event,” Ken Modica, a Team in Training coach in Pennsylvania, said. “I think they get the most satisfaction crossing the finish line knowing they are part of a much larger cause—saving lives.”
Modica, who first joined TNT as a participant after losing a friend to a motorcycle accident, sees the triathlon community as the perfect place to promote a cause.
“Everyone is treated the same. It’s the only sport where an average athlete can compete on the same course at a world class event with world class athletes. Matt Reed was at the last race,” said Modica.
Doubling as a USAT official, Modica said that he often sees athletes stopping to help another racer with a flat, or asking a struggling athlete if they are okay.
“These bonds created during training and races can’t be broken. When a friend needs help, we’re there.”
Shad Ireland agrees. Triathlons have not only saved his life, but have become his family.
“We have a responsibility to take care of our family,” Ireland said. “It’s ingrained in the triathlon community to make a difference in someone’s life.”
To find out more about these charities please visit:
www.shadirelandfoundation.org or www.ironshad.com
www.waronals.com
www.teamintraining.org