Training, Triathlon and Fundraising for a Cancer Cause

Eight years ago, seven-year-old Kristina Swenson heard about the Miracles of Mitch kids triathlon from her Foss swimming instructor and decided she had to participate – just days before the event.

“I was excited! I came home and told my mom I wanted to do a kids triathlon. I think I had her until I told her that it was in four days,” Kristina said, who is now a student at . “I convinced her otherwise and I loved it so much I’ve been back ever since.”

Her brother Kyle, a student at in Maple Grove, quickly followed suit when he was seven years old, both training year round through their involvement in local school and club sports.

The duo not only runs in the Miracles of Mitch kids triathlon each year, they raise money support the nonprofit, which help families of kids with cancer.

The Miracles of Mitch Foundation was formed by Steve and Becky Chepokas in memory of their son Mitch, according to the foundation website. Since his passing in 2003, the Miracles of Mitch Foundation “has provided financial and quality-of-life support to the families of children being treated for cancer in Minnesota.”

Getting involved in the annual triathlon has been an easy decision for Kristina, who says she’s “always been interested in helping others.” Participation in the event became even more personal several years ago when Kristina and Kyle’s cousin Cara was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Cara received help through the Miracles of Mitch Foundation, but unfortunately lost her battle to cancer two years ago.

“Ever since then, it’s been more motivation since the foundation helped her so much,” Kristina said.  Each year, the brother and sister team each put Cara’s name on one their legs, the other with the name of Mitch’s All Star they participate on behalf of during the triathlon.

Kristina and Kyle decided to step up their fundraising efforts in 2011 to help the foundation with a silent auction and concert in Maple Grove, raising $5,000 for the Miracles of Mitch Foundation.

“It was a super successful event. We had lots of people show up,” she said.  The event raised more than $5,000 and prompted Kristina and Kyle to host fundraiser again in 2012.  “This year, we want to jump even higher with a goal of $10,000.”

How to help:

• Attend the concert and silent auction fundraiser 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 11 at Four Seasons at Rush Creek Clubhouse, 7550 Ranier Lane N. in Maple Grove. The silent auction will have more than 75 donations from local businesses, a wine pull, desserts and refreshments.  No preregistration needed.  Maple Grove artist Jana Anderson will be playing at the event this year. Anderson has toured with Stevie Nicks, Don Henley, Fleetwood Mac, and Jewel as well as other performers.  

• Donate directly to the website to Kristina and Kyle’s fundraising page on the Miracles of Mitch Foundation website: http://events.miraclesofmitch.org/site/TR/Events/General?px=1001977&pg=personal&fr_id=1090

Follow us on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for our daily newsletter