Proud to be a Sponsor of TeamWinter.org

Introducing Team Winter ...and 11 Year Old Triathlete Founder, Winter Vinecki
- - Spring 2010 - -

Turning Tragedy into Triumph:
The Quest of an Eleven Year Old Triathlete

Winter Vinecki was but nine years old when, on her Dad's 40th birthday, she and her family learned her Dad had a rare form of prostate cancer. Such devastating news affects all differently. Some withdraw. Some go into denial, and some go to other extremes.  And some decide to fight back.  

Winter belonged to the latter group. But just what could a nine year old do that would make a difference? With a little research, she discovered the Prostate Cancer Foundation and their research programs dedicated to finding a cure. She learned that one in six men will deal with prostate cancer within their lifetimes. She decided that as her Dad battled cancer, she would try and raise some money for this worthy cause. Her goal was to raise $10,000.  

She and her Mom decided to compete in the Athletes For A Cure Triathlon as a way to start raising the funds. TeamWinter, a non-profit organization created for just that purpose, was born.  And Winter raised over $150,000.  

Winter lost her Dad to the disease before he could even turn 41. But for this determined young athlete, now eleven years old, the battle has just begun. Her goal this year is to raise over $200,000. She will be competing all over the country in Triathlons in an ongoing effort to raise awareness -- and funds -- for this worthwhile  cause.  She will be recruiting others, kids and adults, to race under Team Winter and do the same.  

She is finding a lot of help along the way. Team Winter is now an official charity partner with IronKids (IronKids.com), an organization owned by the World Triathlon Corporation which targets youth ranging from 6 to 15 years of age, and aims to inspire and motivate youth through sport to lead an active, positive and healthy lifestyle. This summer Winter will be competing in almost all the IronKids Triathlons across the country, and is now an official Ambassador for IronKids.  

She is also finding many national corporate sponsors more than ready to step up to the plate. Among them Strands, (Strands.com), a social networking website aimed at athletes and events, and GearMax USA Ltd (GearMax.com), a manufacturer of athletic backpacks.  

You can follow Winter on her ongoing quest by joining her network on Strand at Strands.com/teamwinter. It's free to join, and you may be one of the lucky winners of prizes being donated by Strands and GearMax® simply by signing up.  

For more information on Winter or to follow her in her ongoing quest, visit their website at Teamwinter.org. Better yet, make a donation there and then pass the word.