This August, I’ll be riding in the 2026 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 103,000 people in the U.S. who cannot, because they're awaiting a lifesaving transplant. Everyday 17 of these people die waiting for their turn for their transplant. And every 8 minutes, someone new is added to that waitlist, which could be a family friend or loved one. 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 95% of U.S. adults support the idea of organ donation, only 48% are actually registered as organ donors. That isn’t good enough. I’m riding in the hopes of eliminating the wait for a transplant to save lives. 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.
