I'm going fundracin' for MS research in the delivery room! Will you help me bring encouragement to the world of MS and beyond?

My Race
I have to love God's sense of humor. This will be our family's 5th year hosting the TRIFEST for MS, celebrating the power of encouragement to propel MS research forward. It's also the first year Team Endurance for MS will race its home race this Labor Day weekend. However, instead of swimming, biking and running--I'll be in my own endurance sport: In labor, delivering Baby B at the hospital!

Yes, I'll be in Labor on Labor Day. The irony is not lost on me. This is why I need your help! I'll be thinking of your kind donations and support as we greet baby BOY into this world. Even in his first seconds in this world, he'll feel the power of encouragement and community.

My Story
I completed my first triathlon at last year's TRIFEST for MS--and I was hooked! I smiled, waved and thanked just about everyone I saw (Blake had to remind--it's a RACE). That day was literally one of the best of my life.

So, enter 2016: I set-up a whole race calendar of the tris I'd take on when I learned of lil' Baby B. looking to make his grand appearance--and on TRIFEST weekend no less!

My Encouragement
Child birth is literally, LITERALLY--bold, underline, italicize--my BIGGEST FEAR. And yet, here we go. I know God will be right there through it, and I'm counting down the days to meet our little guy. But what better distraction--and pain reliever!--than to think of all the people that donated and praise their name during one of family's biggest moments? The handiwork of God in all of this definitely gets the water works going.

Dedication
I dedicate to Baby Boy Bornkessel--I know you're going to rock our world, in all of the best ways!

About the 2016 Team Endurance for MS
People with MS endure and encourage us onward, despite circumstances. It is our aim that we capture that spirit and share the encouragement forward through participating in endurance events. No matter what brings us to the starting line, we cheer each other to the finish line - in sport, in health and in life.

How You Can Help

• Donate. Encourage us on with whatever you feel called to give. Consider giving a $1 for every mile I'll complete.
• Share. Read our stories and tell your friends and family about our effort by posting them to Facebook and Twitter.
• Join my fundraiser. Click "create your own fundraiser" and join my fundraising team or create your own fundrace.  

Ironman triathlete, Ryan Dagley, is the 2016 Team Captain. I'm also fundracin' with 50+ other athletes dedicated to this effort! Together, we aim to raise over $30,000 for MS research. How can you use what you do to encourage the world of MS and beyond? Learn how you can get involved.

Know the Numbers

• MS is most commonly diagnosed in young adults.
• 80% of MS patients develop MS between the ages of 16 and 45.
• Women are more frequently diagnosed with MS by at least 2 to 1.
• MS is the leading cause of disability in young women and the second leading cause of disability in young men.
• About 350,000 people live with MS in the United States. 200 new patients are diagnosed, every week. If each person diagnosed has just one family member, friend or caregiver, that's 700,000 people impacted.

About MS
MS is a progressive and unpredictable disease of the central nervous system that disrupts communication between the brain and other parts of the body. The severity of the disease and its symptoms vary from person to person. The cause of MS is unknown. No known cure exists.

About the Rampy MS Research Foundation
Our mission is to bring encouragement to the world of MS and beyond through the power of endurance sports, community and research. You can help. Join us and help change lives to save lives.

Swim. Bike. Run. Encourage!