by Sue Ratcliff, Area Director
Pinky Swear Foundation
The Pinky Swear Foundation was founded on a pinky promise between a father and his son. The son was dying of bone cancer and the promise was to help kids with cancer after he was gone. True to this promise, Pinky Swear Foundation helps kids with cancer and their families with financial and emotional support. It is all about “kids helping kids.”
The triathlon – swim, bike, and run
This triathlon is non-competitive and for kids of all ages and abilities. It’s truly suitable for any child who loves to swim, bike and run. There is even a fun run for the little ones. The event takes place on the beautiful Ingersoll Rand Campus in Davidson. It begins with an emotional opening ceremony featuring Pinky Swear All-Star kids with cancer. After a group pinky swear, there’s a fun warm up before the triathlon begins, closely followed by the fun run.
How far and who can participate?
Orange Course (Ages 6-10)
75 yard swim
1.5 mile bike
.5 mile run
Blue Course (Ages 11-18)
150 yard swim
3 mile bike
.75 mile run
*Please note that all course distances are subject to change.
5 & Under Fun Run (Even the younger athletes can participate!)
.5 mile run
Family friendly activities in addition to the triathlon
Families and kids will also enjoy food, bounce houses, music, characters, a dunk tank and lots of games in the race expo village.
Helping children and their families
“This is a truly amazing event,” said All-Star Mom Cecilia. “My son River was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at the age of 2 and Pinky Swear has helped us in so many ways including an All-Star Weekend in a hotel and helping us with bills. We always love to come to the triathlon and see all the kids racing with the names of the Pinky Swear All-Stars on their legs and all last year River even did the fun run himself”
Volunteers needed
“We also need lots of volunteers,” explained Sue Ratcliff, Area Director for Pinky Swear Charlotte. “It takes a lot of people to make sure that everything runs smoothly for the kids and is a great service opportunity for students aged 14 and up and adults. This is my 5th year holding this event and there is nothing better than seeing the kids proudly cross the finish line and their feeling of accomplishment. I can’t think of a better way to spend a weekend morning.”
Event Details
Who: Kids aged up to 18
What: Swim, bike, run
When: Sunday June 2nd
Where: Ingersoll Rand, Davidson, NC
Why: kids fundraise to a minimum of $35 to help kids with cancer and their families
How: Register to participate or volunteer at https://secure.qgiv.com/event/2019pinkysweartri_charlotte/
Sue Ratcliff is from the UK where she was an HR Manager for 16 years. She moved over to the US in 2005 and is proudly now an American citizen. She has 3 kids, twin boy and girl aged 17 and a daughter aged 13. Her kids are all active and she fell in love with Pinky Swear when her son and his friend completed their first half marathon doing a Pinky Swear together as they crossed the finish line. Sue has been Area Director for Pinky Swear Foundation for 4 years and has raised over $600,000 for kids with cancer and their families. For more information, visit the PinkySwear Foundation website: https://www.pinkyswear.org/2019-pinky-swear-kids-triathlon.
