Professional triathlete Leanda Cave is a Blazeman Warrior, along with other professional triathletes Chrissie Wellington, Dede Griesbauer and Matt Reed. She is a triathlete with a cause and is doing something special this year in conjunction with her participation in the upcoming 2009 Ironman World Championship race in Kona. She's putting on The Great Athlete Auction to help raise funds for the Blazeman Foundation for ALS (a non-profit, multi-sport movement to end Lou Gehrig’s Disease).
"I support the Blazeman Foundation which is a charity set up to help raise money and awareness for the War On ALS. It was founded by Jon Blais (Blazeman) and his parents, Mary-Ann and Bob. Jon was a keen triathlete, but sadly, he lost his battle with ALS (a neurological disease) in May 2007. But not before he battled through the Hawaii Ironman in 2006. Jon achieved a lifelong dream while also making a great contribution to the aiding those who suffer from ALS. I had the pleasure of meeting Jon and his parents at the 2006 70.3 World Championships in Clearwater. His story and struggle inspired me and it touched my heart (and left me in tears)." - Leanda Cave
The auction will begin the week prior to the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii, on Sunday, October 4th. Items will be going on eBay at 15 minute intervals and the auction ends on Saturday, October 10th at 6pm. The eBay seller name for the The Great Athlete Auction is 'thegreatathleteauction'.
A sampling of the auction items to be offered:
Race Entries
• One Quelle Challenge Roth Triathlon Race Entry 2010 with 5 Nights homestay for 2
• One Charity Slot to the 2010 Eagleman Ironman 70.3
• Revolution 3 Olympic Distance Race in Knoxville, Tennessee
• Revolution 3 Half Distance Race in Knoxville, Tennessee
• Revolution 3 Olympic Distance Race at Quassy Amusement Park, Middlebury, Connecticut
• Revolution 3 Half Distance Race at Quassy Amusement Park, Middlebury, Connecticut
• Revolution 3 Half Distance Race at Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio
• Revolution 3 Full Distance Race at Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio
• Overall Revolution 3 Series Entry - Olympic in Knoxville, Half at Quassy and Full at Cedar Point
• 2 entries to the Olympic distance triathlon at Wildflower Triathlon with a camping pass.
• One Entry in Ironman 70.3 Kansas 2010
• One Entry in Ironman 70.3 Branson 2010
Autographed Items
• Limar Aero Helmet signed by Belinda Granger.
• 2 Rudy Project Syton Carbon Aero Helmets signed by Stephen and Bella Bayliss, Size S & M
• Gatorade Hat from 2007 Ironman World Championship signed by both winners - Chris McCormack and Chrissie Wellington
• HY-VEE Triathlon hat - 2007 signed by the winners - Laura Bennett and Ramus Henning.
Triathlon Gear
• Aqua Sphere Icon Wetsuit (Women's S) and Aqua Sphere Goodie Bag.
• Reynolds Element Disc Wheel
• TYR Sayonara Shortjohn Swimskin
• Giro 2010 Ladies Atmos Helmet (Medium) and Giro Semi Polarized Black Sunglasses
• A year’s supply of nutrition products (Accelerade/Endurox/Accel Gel/ForzeGPS) from Pacific Health Labs
• Blueseventy Package (Pointzero swimskin, a Transition Bag, and Goggles)
Collectively, the Blazeman Warriors are trying to reach a $750,000 target to assist with cutting-edge scientific research to find treatments and an eventual cure for ALS. 75% is the current percentage of the $750,000 target for the Blazeman Foundation for ALS Awareness and Research Fund.
There is still plenty of time to donate an auction item or to become familiar with what the The Great Athlete Auction will have up for bid, so check it out. You can keep up-to-date by checking out The Great Athlete Auction blog at thegreatathleteauction.blogspot.com or by following Leanda on Twitter here: twitter.com/leandacave or via Facebook.
To learn more about the Blazeman Foundation for ALS or the disease and current research or to become a Blazeman Warrior go to: www.waronals.com.
Related Posts:
• Rest In Peace Jon "Blazeman" Blais
