Donate On Behalf Of An Individual Or Team

I would have never gotten into races if it weren't for my Aunt Sheila. My Aunt Sheila has been an avid triathlete for as long as I can remember, competing in races from Alaska to Hawaii. Not only did she just participate, she made them better. One example: The Gold Nugget Triathlon (GNT) in Anchorage, Alaska, the oldest all-women's triathlon in the country, and a triathlon whose Board of Directors she still sits on to this day. If you want inspiration, look no further than Sheila. In 2022, my Aunt Sheila was diagnosed with ALS. The force of nature that she is, didn’t let her diagnosis keep her from competing. In 2023, she completed her 26th triathlon. With the help of friends and a bike outfitted to be controlled with the left hand, she finished the race. In 2024, Sheila asked mom and me to compete in the GNT in her stead. I was intimidated by the idea of a race, doing a triathlon had never crossed my mind. But doing this for a woman who had not only been an inspiration in her physical feats but a positive force in my life as both my aunt and my godmother… I had to say yes. Plus, Sheila did the race the year before with ALS -- what was our excuse? Despite the inevitable progression of her ALS, Sheila was still determined to participate in that year's race. She did the virtual race: completing the race requirements over the course of 2 months. When in-person race day arrived my mom and I donned our matching “Sheila’s Squad” t-shirts and did the race. It was an amazing experience, and we were bitten by the race bug. This May we competed in the GNT again, Sheila cheering us on the whole way. I wanted more: so here I am, eager to compete in my first 10k. As luck would have it, the race benefits ALS research. I’m doing this race for Sheila, for all the inspiration she has given to me, my family, and the countless other people lucky enough to be in her communities. I encourage you to consider donating, and considering doing something out of your comfort zone for the ones you love. You might have the time of your life.