I may not be able to divulge much about what happens in ATHLETE. But there's one thing I can mention and that's the significance of charities in the film. Specifically, how organizations like Achilles and Team in Training play an important part in the athletes' lives and their stories.
With the documentary, I hope to help raise awareness and funds for the charities featured in ATHLETE. It's something I'll be working on in the coming months, along with a plan for the film's release/distribution. A lot to do even after the final cut is complete.
But, you know what? You don't have to wait until ATHLETE comes out to take part in the "
Cycle of Giving". What's that you ask? It's what I witnessed while working on the film. It's when everyday individuals contribute their time and/or money to make a difference in someone else's life. And as you'll see in the documentary, those who benefit from charities give back as much as they can. That's the Cycle of Giving.
Check out the four organizations featured in the film, and learn how you can take part in the Cycle of Giving. Today.
Achilles Track Club: Founded 25 years ago, Achilles encourages individuals with all types of disabilities to participate in running events as well as triathlons. One of the subjects in the film,
Artie, is a 62-year old blind athlete and an active member of the NYC chapter. (
achillestrackclub.org)
Girls on the Run: I had never heard of GOTR prior to working on ATHLETE. I learned about them through twin sister subjects
Kellie and Carrie, whose good friend founded a local chapter in Cincinnati (and appears in the film with the twins). GOTR "encourages preteen girls to develop self-respect and healthy lifestyles through running". (
girlsontherun.org)
Team in Training: TNT offers everyday athletes professional training and support for marathons, triathlons, and century bike rides. In return, participants help raise much-needed funds to fight blood cancers including leukemia and lymphoma. Cancer survivor and ATHLETE subject,
Jenny, signed up with TNT shortly after completing treatment and has raised a significant amount of money for the organization over the last six years. (
teamintraining.org)
Lance Armstrong Foundation: Covering Jenny's story reminded me of another cancer survivor and athlete --
Lance Armstrong. The idea of featuring him and his foundation in the film is to show how similar their lives have been (athlete > patient > survivor > athlete > leader in the fight against cancer), and that you don't need to be a seven-time Tour de France champion to make a difference. You too can take part in the fight. (
livestrong.org)
DLM
GIVE BACK: Take part in THE CYCLE OF GIVING.
