Help Blazeman Warriors Win the War Against Lou Gehrig’s disease

From his early teens, John Blais, known to his friends as “Blazeman” was a triathlete who dreamed of competing in Ironman Hawaii. At age 33 he was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease: a neurodegenerative disease which affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Those with the disease gradually lose the ability to walk, talk, swallow and finally to breathe.

After his diagnosis, a friend contacted Ironman Hawaii and Blazeman was awarded entry to the competition. He completed the race an hour before the cut off, and is believed to be the first person with ALS to even attempt to do so. "Finishing the race is huge for me,” Blais explained “No one is beating ALS. No one has done anything but walk away and die." Unable to compete in another competition after this because of his condition, Blais continued to attend triathlons in his wheelchair to raise awareness. Though the disease would claim his life, Blais hoped that spreading the word might afford somebody else better chances. Blais sadly died in 2007 at the age 35. In her blog, Leanda Cave of The Blazeman Warriors recalls hearing the news: “I was heartbroken to learn of his ordeal and the speed at which this disease can take a healthy individuals life. From that date on, I have been rolling across many finish lines.”

The Blazeman Foundation for ALS is a non-profit, multi-sport movement aiming to end Lou Gehrig’s disease. The Blazeman Warriors are a nationwide team of athletes, including Leanda Cave, Chrissie Wellington, Dede Griesbauer and Matt Reed. They are aiming to reach a $750,000 target to assist with scientific research into treatments and hope eventually to find a cure for ALS.

The Blazeman Warriors have already reached 75% of their target, and in order to raise the remainder, the Foundation is holding The Great Athlete Auction, beginning at the end of this month. Professional athletes and corporations are donating a variety of items which will then be auctioned on EBay beginning two weeks before the Ford Ironman World Championships held in Kona, Hawaii on October 10. The auction will come to a close as the competition ends.

Headsweats is donating 100 custom hats or visors either embroidered or heat transfer printed with your logo, worth a total of $2000. Other items up for grabs include entry to various Ironman World Champion Qualifier events, a year’s supply of nutritional products from Pacific Health Labs, two months coaching by Triumph Multisport and a wide variety of racewear, equipment and race entries. To find out more and to bid in the auction, keep an eye on Leanda’s blog and on EBay seller TheGreatAthleteAuction.