Project Athena’s Goals and Goddesses
Being healthy and injury-free is something I never want to take for granted, but inevitably I do. Isn’t it easy to be lulled into complacency? Perhaps that’s why running (or walking or biking — pick your sport) for a charitable cause has become so popular. Connecting with and helping those who are coping with serious medical problems is a powerful reminder that “your health is your wealth.” Plus, it’s another reason to get out the door and run.
Now I have my eye on supporting a small nonprofit called Project Athena (named, of course, for that crafty Goddess of Wisdom who often helped other Greek heroes). The group’s mission is “to help women with breast cancer and other medical or traumatic setbacks live their athletic and adventurous dreams.” I learned about it from Darcie Gorman, a 34-year-old runner from Salt Lake City, Utah, whom I met almost exactly a year ago at the Dick Collins Firetrails 50 miler, which she won. Eleven months later, we met again in the line for the bathroom at the Imogene Pass Run.
Darcie Gorman training in support of Project Athena.
I asked her to answer some questions about Project Athena to learn what it’s all about.
Q: How is Project Athena different from the many other nonprofits out there that use endurance events to raise money for medical research and patient support?
Darcie: I think Project Athena is different because the website allows you to immediately put a face, name, and amazing story to every donation. A lot of organizations use their donations for medical research, and while I realize the importance of that, it can feel a little nebulous having your donation put into a large fund. It may be years before we find a cure for cancer, but through Project Athena, it can be only weeks or months before you see the impact your donation has on the life of someone living with cancer or some other medical condition. When you visit projectathena.org you can see pictures and read the life stories of the Racing Team and Athenaship recipients who are able to achieve their athletic dreams thanks to donors’ generous support.
I read Project Athena’s mission statement, but can you tell me in your words what it’s all about, and why you support it?
Most of the racing I’ve done has been in individual sports such as trail running and triathlon. Being involved with Project Athena means being part of a team. It gives me motivation to do my best because I know I’m out there racing for the amazing Athenaship recipients to help them achieve their athletic dreams. It’s easy to feel like you’re “suffering” at mile 30 with blisters or knee pain, but when I think about all the Athenaship recipients, and the women of the Racing Team who were the inspiration for the foundation, I realize that minor aches and pains are nothing compared to what these women have endured! … I work in the medical field, and so often I see people whose illnesses prevent them from achieving their dreams and living the life they desire. Project Athena allows women to thrive despite their medical conditions and accomplish things they never imagined were possible! After being there to witness breast cancer survivor and Athenaship recipient Sandy Kilburg achieve her dream of going across the Grand Canyon, I’m more excited about raising funds for Project Athena to help change the lives of even more women.
Tell me about the Grand Canyon trek you did with Project Athena earlier this month.
Doing the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim.
The Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim fundraising adventure was such a special experience because I was able to meet some members of the racing team and Athenaship recipients. … I had the honor of rooming with one of the past Athenaship recipients, Kerrie Kerkman, who has a degenerative spinal condition. With the help of Project Athena, she achieved her goal of completing the Great Wall of China Marathon in May. This trip, Kerrie served as a fundraising Goddess on behalf of Sandy Kilburg who is a breast cancer survivor and accomplished adventure racer. It was Sandy’s dream to hike across the Grand Canyon, which she did (twice!) on this trip. Cheering Sandy on as she led the group up the last set of switchbacks was a moment I’ll never forget!
What’s the size and scope of Project Athena, and how did it start?
Project Athena unofficially started in the fall of 2007 when founder and world-class adventure racer, Robyn Benincasa, was recovering from her first of two Birmingham hip resurfacing operations. She was surrounded by her amazing athletic friends, all of whom have continued to race at an elite level despite their own medical setbacks. These women are the Project Athena Racing Team and their inspiring stories are on the website. Robyn was able to return to racing by following her friends’ example of courage and determination to succeed despite living with rheumatoid arthritis, battles with breast and uterine cancer, and traumatic pelvic fractures. Robyn was so grateful for their support and encouragement and wanted to find a way to give the same to other women.
Since receiving non-profit status in early 2008, support for the foundation has grown exponentially. This year, the foundation has raised about $20,000. In 2008, four Athenaship recipients were selected and the goal is to help 1 to 5 women per quarter depending on the recipient’s athletic dream and amount of donations. One unique aspect of Project Athena is that donations do not have be financial. Project Athena also provides training, nutritional advice, equipment, etc. to Athenaship recipients to help them achieve their goal. Thus, supporters can offer to train with Athenaship recipients, donate athletic equipment, massage, nutrition advice, or anything else to help a recipient’s dream become reality.
An important thing to know is that to be a fundraising God or Goddess, you don’t have to be an accomplished athlete. Anyone can raise money for the foundation and participate in fundraising adventures. On the Grand Canyon trip, there were some who had never hiked more than a few miles in their lives! Because of that, several of the fundraising Gods and Goddesses on the trip had an experience as profound as the Athenaship recipients. There will be another Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim trip June 2-6, 2010, so check out the website and sign up to come along! … There is a trip report from the Grand Canyon fundraising adventure on sleepmonsters.com and you can become a fan of Project Athena on Facebook.
Project Athena on the Grand Canyon adventure, helping women with serious medical setbacks fulfill their athletic dreams.
You’re a serious competitive trail runner — what goals are on your horizon for running, and for life in general?
As for running, my next goal is to finish a 100 mile trail run in the next year. I’m also doing a full Ironman in November. … I’m so fortunate to have my health, and I hope to stay strong for decades to come so I can continue to race — not just to achieve my own goals, but to raise money and awareness for Project Athena so that other deserving women can achieve their dreams.
Thanks, Darcie, and good luck!
Tags: Firetrails 50, Grand Canyon Rim to Rim, Project Athena, Running, running for nonprofits, trail running, Ultrarunning