"Tri'ing to end ALS - Ironman Canada 2010"
DONNA BARTEL, Ironman Canada Competitor
"Competing in an Ironman is never an easy task. It starts at 7am with a 3.8km swim, followed by a 180k bike ride, then a marathon (42.2k run).
It ends far into the night. ....But battling ALS is even harder.
In 1999 my mom was diagnosed with ALS, which she battled for 2 years.
To help raise awareness and funds for the ALS Society, my sister and I ran the Vancouver marathon in 2000. We then started the Run, Walk & Roll for ALS in 2001 with the help of a group of dedicated volunteers and continued for numerous years, with the last run in 2008.
To continue "Tri'ing to end ALS", on August 29th , 2010 I'll be doing Ironman Canada Triathlon in Penticton. It will be a long day and require months of training, but with the support of my family and friends, I know I can do it.
Please help me reach my goal of raising $10,000 for the ALS Society of BC providing support for those with ALS as well as research to find a cause and a cure. The assistance of the Society, especially the equipment loan program, enabled our family to spend our time and energy with our mom rather than worry about how we were going to cope financially with this disease.
And like my mom "said" with her (borrowed) speaking machine after our first run in 2001, "a big hug to you all"!"
Your support is greatly appreciated, thank you.
Donna Bartel