U.S. Bobsled & Skeleton Federation Gives Thanks

Contact: Amanda Bird, USBSF Marketing & Communications Manager

(518) 523-1842, ext 106, abird@usbsf.com

For Immediate Release

November 13, 2009 

U.S. Bobsled & Skeleton Federation Gives Thanks 

LAKE PLACID, N.Y.- U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation (USBSF) athletes, coaches and staff identified eight charitable causes that had special meaning to their lives, and will be placing logos on the 2009-2010 World Cup sleds to express their gratitude to these organizations.

“This team has defined itself with its willingness to give back,” said Darrin Steele, USBSF CEO.  “The USBSF spends a great deal of time and effort asking for support in order to sustain our organization.  These athletes have reminded us that we also have the means and the responsibility to give back to those organizations that have special meaning to our federation.  We are honored to support these causes and we are very proud of the spirit of giving that our athletes, coaches and staff members have demonstrated in supporting this program.”

The eight causes that USBSF athletes, coaches and staff have selected to support include American Cancer Society, Autism Speaks, National Breast Cancer Foundation, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Muscular Dystrophy Association and Seattle Children’s Hospital.  The USBSF is proud to acknowledge and support these causes for the impact they’ve had on the lives of USBSF athletes, coaches and staff members. 

The USBSF currently has agreements with six of the above causes and is hoping to complete the final two agreements for logo usage in time for the Lake Placid, N.Y. World Cup event.

The USBSF would also like to give special thanks to Tom Fairbrother at Maximage Printers in West Valley City, Utah for their sled decal donation. 

American Cancer Society

American Cancer Society (ACS) is a nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. 

Several USBSF athletes have been directly affected by cancer in their lives.  Among them is bobsled pilot John Napier (Lake Placid, N.Y.) who began the sport of bobsled in 1994, following in the footsteps of his father, William Napier, who was a bobsledder from the 1960s through the 1980s.  Napier’s father was a former president of the USBSF and served the sport as a volunteer and coach throughout his son’s early career.  William died of cancer when he was 66 in June 2005, and was recognized in the USBSF Hall of Fame for his contributions to the sport last summer.   

Two-time World Cup champion Katie Uhlaender’s (Breckenridge, Colo.) father, Ted Uhlaender, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2008, and lost his battle after suffering a heart attack at his ranch in Atwood, Kansas.  Ted played major league baseball from 1965-72 with Minnesota, Cleveland and Cincinnati. 

“I am more determined than ever to live up to the standards he held for me in life,” Katie said in an interview last February.  “He was a great man, who held me to my word, my work ethic, and family name." 

To learn more about the American Cancer Society and how you can get involved, please visit www.cancer.org, or call 1-800-ACS-2345.

Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks is the nation’s largest autism science and advocacy organization dedicated to finding research into the cause, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism.  The organization also concentrates on raising awareness of autism spectrum disorders and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. 

Bobsled push athlete Steve Langton (Melrose, Mass.) grew up with a younger cousin who was diagnosed with autism when he was 4-years old, 17 years ago, and acknowledges the importance of Autism Speaks in his life. 

“Autism Speaks has been instrumental in increasing the recognition of autism spectrum disorders by fundraising for research and by advocating for individuals with this disorder,” said Langton.  “I am proud and privileged to be a member of an organization which so readily offers its support to this well deserved cause.  I know first hand the trials, tribulations and joys of having a family member with this growing condition.”

Visit www.autismspeaks.org or call 1-212-252-8584 to learn more about how you can become involved in Autism Speaks.

National Breast Cancer Foundation

National Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation (NBCF) is committed to spreading knowledge and fostering hope in the fight against breast cancer, and its mission is to save lives through early detection and to provide free mammograms for those in need. 

Women’s bobsled push athlete Emily Azevedo (Chico, Calif.) was a child when she learned that her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“My mother has since dedicated her life to breast cancer awareness and advocating early detection,” said Azevedo.  “For as long as I can remember, October marks a house full of pink ribbons.  I am sure my mother has saved many lives by raising awareness and my hope is the recognition on our Bodyn bobsleds will help save many more. The doctors gave her a 50-50 chance of living five years if she had chemotherapy.  She is now a 25-year survivor and continues to teach me daily that nothing is impossible.”

To learn more about NBCF’s mission and to help this cause, please visit www.nationalbreastcancer.org. 

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) mission is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research, and is the leader in research for a cure.

Noelle Pikus-Pace (Orem, Utah) has a 16-year old nephew who was diagnosed with diabetes when he was 3-years old.  Pikus-Pace is inspired by his strength and has walked in various Utah Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walks. 

“This is a great foundation, and every dollar raised helps their cause,” said Pikus-Pace.  “My nephew has a lifelong battle with diabetes, and it’s a good cause to support.”

To find out more about JDRF, please visiti www.jdrf.org or call 1-800-533-2873. 

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS is dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. 

USBSF Marketing & Communications Manager, Amanda Bird (Lake Placid, N.Y.), learned that her two-year old niece was diagnosed with leukemia in July. 

“My little niece has been a warrior while fighting such an aggressive disease,” said Bird.  “Our family has bonded together to help LLS raise awareness and funds for research to help eliminate this disease so that other families never have to experience this kind of hardship.  I am proud to work for an organization that is willing to serve so many wonderful causes.  I’m fortunate to not only work for a group of top ranked athletes in the world, but I work for a group of wonderful people that want to give back to the communities that support them.  I’m incredibly grateful to have their support for a cause so close to my own heart.”

For more information about the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, please visit www.leukemia-lymphoma.org, or call 1-800-955-4572. 

Make-A-Wish Foundation

The Make-A-Wish Foundation has a network of nearly 25,000 volunteers that serve as wish granters, fundraisers, or special event assistants for children with life-threatening medical conditions.

Curt Tomasevicz (Shelby, Neb.), a push athlete on Steven Holcomb’s four-man bobsled 2009 World Championship team and a 2006 Olympian, participated in helping a child’s wish come true while playing football at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. 

“I've seen the joy and happiness that Make-A-Wish can bring to a family in times of great despair,” said Tomasevicz.  “When a child is facing an illness or disability, a moment of relief experienced through a vacation, a meeting with a hero, or receiving a present can provide a lifelong smile. It gives a child and their family a chance to live out an otherwise improbable dream.”

To learn more about how to grant the power of a wish with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, please visit www.wish.org, or call 1-800-722-9474. 

Muscular Dystrophy Association

The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research, and provides health care and support services, advocacy and education to patients and families. 

Women’s bobsled push athlete and 2006 Olympic silver medalist Valerie Fleming (Park City, Utah) strongly supports MDA.  Her aunt and three cousins were diagnosed and live with muscular dystrophy.

“It’s incredibly inspirational to see how my aunt and her children live with this disease,” said Fleming.  “Our family relies on the support that MDA provides and it’s great to have the opportunity to promote their mission through my sport.  I hope we can help spread the word to raise awareness for these diseases.”

For more information, please visit www.mda.org, or call 1-800-572-1717. 

Seattle Children’s Hospital

The Seattle Children’s Hospital hosts the Stanley Stamm Summer Camp every August, which gives children with serious illnesses the chance to go fishing, ride horses and take part in other activities typical of summer camp during a week-long camp near Mt. Rainier.  The camp was founded by Seattle Children’s Hospital’s heart specialist, Dr. Stanley Stamm, and includes medical support for the children while they attend camp.

Women’s bobsled pilot, Bree Schaaf (Bremerton, Wash.), has served as a camp counselor for the Stanley Stamm Summer Camp since 2001.

“Not only is it the most inspirational week I experience every year, but hands down the most fun,” said Schaaf.  “From the kids’ truly unique senses of humor to their awe inspiring fortitude when it comes to dealing with the hand they're dealt, it’s impossible not to have the time of your life when you are helping special needs kids have the time of theirs.  It means so much to me to recognize this cause on my sled.”

Please visit www.seattlechildrens.org to learn more about the Seattle Children’s Hospital and how to get involved with the clinics, research and programs.

Please contact Amanda Bird, USBSF Marketing & Communications Manager, at (518) 523-1842, ext. 106, or at abird@usbsf.com for any questions regarding the U.S. team.

About the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation

The United States Bobsled and Skeleton Federation, based in Lake Placid, N.Y., is the national governing body for the sports of bobsled and skeleton in the United States. The USBSF would like to thank its sponsors, suppliers and contributors for their support: Allianz Life, Under Armour, Vilter Manufacturing, 776 Original Marketing, KBC Helmets, Luminox Watch Company, BNRG, EDAS/Ripxx and Ferris Mfg. Corp. The USBSF would also like to thank the following sponsors and suppliers for their partner, the Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project:  Whelen Engineering, PPG, Columbia Sportswear, JEGS Automotive, Lucas Oil, Mac Tools, EXA, Lumber Liquidators, Lincoln Electronics and Racing Electronics.  For more information, please visit the USBSF website at http://bobsled.teamusa.org.

###