Hansen advocates for kids with Leukemia

Hansen advocates for kids with Leukemia (1/13/2006)
USA Swimming

As someone who hasn't experienced the personal or family heartache and heartbreak of disease, Brendan Hansen counts himself among the fortunate.


"I've been a lucky guy. Not much bad has happened to my family and friends in my life," Hansen said. "Because of this, I wanted to find a way to give back some of the good fortune I've had."


Shortly after winning gold in the 400m medley relay at the 2004 Athens Games, Hansen met Kevin Radelet, executive director of the Leukemia Research Foundation (LRF), and found his cause to champion. The LRF is a Glenview, Illinois-based organization that provides research grants to scientists and researchers worldwide searching for a cure for leukemia, lymphoma and other blood-related cancers.


For the second consecutive year, the world champion breaststroker will conduct a swim clinic at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill., to raise money as well as awareness for leukemia research. The event runs from noon to 4 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday, Jan. 14) and is hosted by the Wheaton Swim Club.


"From a funding standpoint, it takes a lot of money to fund researchers pursuing a cure and the LRF provides more than $1 million each year to scientists from around the world," Radelet said. "Brendan's support offers the LRF the opportunity to get into doors and meet people that we might not normally have the chance to meet. Thanks to that entree, it's our hope that corporate decision-makers and fans of Brendan will follow his lead and offer additional donations to help our cause."


The Ultimate Technique Swim Clinic, presented by www.USASwimmer.com, will feature in-water stroke and technique drills, an instructed session on dry-land training and a motivational talk, plus Olympic stories for the participants. The national spokesman for the LRF, Hansen also will make a large personal donation to a cause that has become very dear to his heart.


"Before I became involved with the foundation, I visited kids with leukemia at an Austin hospital and it really touched me to see the fight and desire they had to be well," Hansen said.


"These kids don't really get the chance to live a normal childhood, and they got stuck with a tough road. I'm just glad I can lend my talent and sports celebrity to raise money to help the kids."


As a group, leukemia accounts for about 25 percent of all childhood concerns and affect roughly 2,200 American children each year. It is the No. 1 cause of death by disease for children up to age 14, yet it is diagnosed 10 times more often in adults than children. Fortunately, the chances to cure children with the disease are very good. With treatment, most children are free of the disease without it coming back.


"This is a curable disease. It's not something that can't be overcome," Hansen said. "I really respect LRF because the foundation concentrates its funding toward actual research.


"I have always wanted swimming to have an ambassador to travel throughout the United States and excite swimmers, parents and the community in general about the great sport that I have dedicated my life to promoting, and I now have that opportunity. It's such a noble cause that I can't imagine everyone not wanting to support it. I want to continue doing this indefinitely."


There's still time to register for the clinic, which includes instruction, in-water drills and an autograph from Brendan. To register, go to the Wheaton Swim Club website, www.wheatonswimming.com.

You can also make a donation to the Leukemia Research Foundation (LRF) via Brendan's website, www.brendanhansenonline.com.

ETA: I spoke with Kaitlin Sandeno tonight and she told me that she and Kalyn Keller will be at the Belmont Pool in Long Beach, California tomorrow Jan 14 around 5 pm taking donations for Erik Namesnik's Memorial Fund or Snik's Kids. If you would like to donate in person and live in the SoCal area, this is the time to do it.
The trust fund has been set up for the children of Eric and Kirsten:
SNIK'S KIDS (official name: Eric Namesnik Memorial Fund -- both are fine on the check)
United Bank and Trust
2723 S. State Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48104