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Dr. Kramer Takes on IRONMAN Memphis for St. Jude
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BRIGHT’s own, Dr. Kramer, is taking on the IRONMAN 70.3 Memphis triathlon to raise funds for St. Jude, the leading research hospital behind preventing and curing cancer in children. On October 20, 2020, he sets out to conquer one of the most difficult races in the world, a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride, and a 13.1-mile run – all in the name of ending childhood cancer. His goal is set high with a $25,000 donation goal for St. Jude’s. “Cancer is indiscriminately terrible in and of itself, but it’s even more insidious when it affects innocent children. My family has been donating to St. Judes for many years now and looks forward to many more.” says Dr. Kramer.
To properly prepare for such a demanding race, Dr. Kramer is intensely training three times a day, starting at 4:30 a.m. In the mornings, he takes a trip to the gym to get in cardio through swimming and cycling, or if there’s no snow, he’ll head straight out his front door for a long run. During his lunch break he’ll go for a jog, and after work he is right back at it with strength conditioning.
As a military veteran, training hard isn’t new to Dr. Kramer, but swimming 1.2 miles won’t come easy. Dr. Kramer is setting aside his fear of swimming to take the plunge for children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases, “When I swim I feel like there is a 50% chance I’m either going to have a heart attack or simply drown from exhaustion.”
At this level of sacrifice and commitment we had to ask, why are you doing this? “Part of me is doing it to get back in shape. Opening a business is stressful and cortisol is a hell of a hormone. But mostly it’s because my wife just went through surgery for thyroid cancer which was diagnosed in her last trimester of pregnancy. Suddenly cancer is a more familiar word in my home than I’m comfortable with. This is my way of doing something to contribute to cancer research and to help families struggling through dealing with a child who has been diagnosed with cancer. I’m most excited about seeing how much of a contribution we can make to the St. Judes Foundation when the time comes. Hopefully I can inspire people to be charitable.”
Dr. Kramer has a lofty goal to raise $25,000 for St. Jude’s! And he needs your help! Consider donating to this amazing cause and help continue the lifesaving mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Why you should donate to St. Jude’s:
- No patient’s family ever receives a bill from St. Jude’s. St. Jude’s covers travel, food, housing, and treatment so that families only have to worry about their child’s health.
- It costs almost $3 million a day to operate St. Jude’s, which is mostly covered by donations from people like you.
- Due to St. Jude’s efforts, the survival rate of childhood cancer has vastly increased from 20 to 80 percent.
- St. Jude’s shares its findings, knowledge, and breakthroughs with doctors and scientists from all over the world. So one child cured means thousands more cured.
- 81 cents of every dollar received supports St. Jude’s research and treatment.
Danny Thomas, founder of St. Jude Children’s Research said that “No child should die in the dawn of life.” Join him and Dr. Kramer in the fight against cancer in children by donating today.
If you’ve been inspired to help end childhood cancer too, then please visit BRIGHT’s St. Jude’s donation page to join Dr. Kramer on his quest to raise a $25,000 contribution. Here’s to St. Judes!