Ironman Triathlon to Benefit Cystic Fibrosis

Hey everyone!

My name is CJ Peterson, and i am a Sophomore at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. I am the second of 10 children and due to that style of family, family means everything to me.

I have 4 cousins that have been diagnosed with the terrible disease, Cystic Fibrosis (CF). A simple definition of the disease is a hereditary disease that affects specific genes in the body that help to keep the body running well, and they affect them in a way that eventually the disease destroys the lungs, pancreas, and other organs... (For more information see C.F. (google) or a more detailed Cystic Fibrosis Website)
3 of my cousins are currently fighting this disease, but unfortunately the fourth, my young cousin Tess Blackwelder, lost the fight to CF and on August 31, 2007, Tess was taken back to our Heavenly Father.

This disease affects children around the world, and currently there is NO CURE. There are medicines that can help alleviate the pain and suffering of these children, but nothing permanent, or even truly effective.

I am attempting to conquer the mother of all Ultra-Distance sports, the Ironman Triathlon. I began training in October of last year and the race will be on May 1, 2010 in St. George, Utah. It will be a test of not only my physical strength, but also my mental will to survive and continue on. My greatest strength is little Tess. On those long days when i am running alone and in the cold for hours on end, her face always brings a smile to my face.

Please, help me to fight for others like Tess. Please contribute to Team Tess - i promise that your donation will not be wasted like other organizations. I myself am not a charity, but i am connected with one that does not waste! I promise that at least 90% of all donations will go directly to finding a cure for this disease. If you can only give one dollar, i would love you forever. If you could give more, even better! Every dollar helps.

Thank you so much.
CJ Peterson