This August, I’ll be riding in the 2024 Leadville Trail 100 MTB race. Call me crazy...but it’s for a good reason: I’m riding on behalf of the Chris Klug Foundation (CKF), a nonprofit that educates on the importance of organ, eye, & tissue donation! Not only will I be riding in their honor, but I will also be fundraising for their cause, in support of organ, eye & tissue donation.
So, why CKF? Although I am able to take on such a daunting physical (and mental!) task like riding the Leadville 100, there are still more than 104,000 people in the U.S. who cannot because they're awaiting a lifesaving transplant. 17 of these people die each day waiting for their turn, for their transplant. And every 9 minutes, someone new is added to that waitlist. I've witnessed firsthand the transplant crisis through my wife's family. Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a genetic disease that has been in the family or years, and affected multiple aunts and cousins--many of whom have both donated and received kidneys. These kidneys have come from loved ones, but also from donors with not family ties at all. Just one person has the ability to save up to 8 lives as an organ donor and improve up to 75 lives through tissue and eye donation. But here’s a stark reality: although 96% of U.S. adults support the idea of organ donation, only 54% are actually registered as organ donors. That isn’t good enough. I’m riding in the hopes of eliminating one person's wait for a transplant. I know that’s a lofty goal, but if my riding helps just one person from having to wait, I believe it's worth it
CKF is making huge strides to educate people of all ages, with the goal of registering more individuals as organ donors across the U.S., in the hopes of one day eliminating the wait for transplant nationwide. Please help me raise the very important funds they need to continue their lifesaving mission. The smallest amount helps and 100% of your donation is tax-deductible. Donations can be made via credit card or check.
