How Did It Begin?

The Challenged Athletes Foundation grew out of a desire to assist one athlete who suffered a devastating second accident while competing in a triathlon. His many friends quickly decided to raise funds for his recovery, and organized the first San Diego Triathlon Challenge (SDTC) – an annual fundraising triathlon event at La Jolla Cove. From this modest beginning arose a more important mission – to make sure that people with physical challenges have the same freedom to enjoy sports that the rest of us take for granted.

How Do We Help?

Since 1994, CAF has raised more than $16 million – allowing the Foundation to satisfy more than 2,600 funding requests from challenged athletes in all 50 states and dozens of countries. More than eighty cents of every dollar raised by CAF provides funding and programs that get challenged athletes into the game. Whether it’s a $2,000 handcycle, helping underwrite a $15,000 running prosthetic or arranging enthusiastic encouragement from a mentor who has triumphed over a similar injury, CAF’s mission is clear: give those with the desire to live active, competitive lifestyles every opportunity to compete in the sports they love. At the 2006 Winter Paralympic Games in Torino Italy, 23 of the 56 participating U.S. Athletes (41 percent) were supported by CAF.

What Still Needs to Be Done?

Sadly, despite our best efforts, many physically challenged athletes still remain on the sidelines. It is only through the hard work of our fundraisers, the generosity of our donors and the assistance of our corporate sponsors that CAF is able to continue fulfilling its unique mission. Their contributions give ever-growing numbers of challenged athletes a fair chance to realize their dreams, and breathe life into the stories of hearts and heroes, of inspiration and perspiration, of raw courage and “never-quit” attitudes that flow from CAF’s charitable efforts.

Why Do Challenged Athletes Need Funding?

According to the U.S. Paralympics, 21 million people in the United States have a physical disability. Less than 10 percent of these participate in physical activities on a daily basis. A primary reason is cost. Equipment that allows these individuals to engage in active lifestyles is very expensive –in fact, for many, it’s cost-prohibitive. A single handcycle runs upwards of $2,000 and adaptive training and competition expenses can make moving to the “next level” of athletic performance an insurmountable barrier for many challenged athletes. Funding provided by CAF helps make it possible for more physically challenged people to gain access to this equipment and to the enhanced self-esteem that comes from participation in sports. To ensure these needs are met in perpetuity, CAF has worked hard over its first 14 years to build and grow an endowment fund that will continue to assist physically challenged athletes indefinitely.

Challenged Athletes Foundation
PO Box 910769
San Diego, CA 92191
Phone: 858.866.0959
Fax: 858.866.0958
www.challengedathletes.org