Thank you for visiting my fundraising page for the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association (ALS) - Greater San Diego Chapter!

Friends and Family.........

(The story many of you DON'T know)

Late last year on December 2nd, I was texting and emailing my dad, Jody O'Keefe, about getting the courage to sign up for my first ever Ironman Triathlon race.  I texted him that if I signed up, while training for the race, I wanted to raise money  for the ALS Association in the fighting spirit of my uncle, Brian Bennett, who is in his own fight against ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease.  The last text I received from my dad that night were 3 words, "GO FOR IT".  So the next morning, on December 3rd, I woke up, went to the computer, and signed up for Ironman Arizona on November 23rd, 2008.  Unfortunately, I never had the chance to share the news with my dad.  Late that afternoon, on December 3rd, I received the call my dad had passed away in Mississippi from a severe heart attack.

Since December, I have been training and trying to condition myself in order to complete the daunting Ironman Triathlon.  The training has been rigorous and where I have already failed is in my efforts to raise money for the ALS Association.  I had imagined an elaborate website and huge campaign and it just hasn't happened.  The training for the race has been quite overwhelming at times and I have not been able to focus the attention I wanted to on fundraising.

Most weekends I drive the 2hr drive to San Diego to visit my uncle Brian and his family.  While I am there, I am able to train with many other triathlete friends that are amazing and so encouraging to me and my reason behind attempting the Ironman race.  I personally and up-close have seen the struggles that a family goes through when a member is fighting their fight against ALS.  I have met many, many other families in the SAME fight at other fundraising events during the past 2 years.  I have worked with the ALS-San Diego Chapter and now am personal friends with Jane Mitchell, chairman of the board, and Tom Courtney, Exec. Dir.  I have helped them in their efforts to raise money and now it's MY TURN!

I sincerely, ask you not to help me, but to help those who are in the middle of their fight.  I have seen how donations JUST LIKE THESE can help families.  I ask you to trust that the money is used EXTREMELY effectively and efficiently.  I personally have seen how the funds are used and you WILL be proud.

I'm certain that on November 23rd when I begin the Arizona Ironman (a 2.4mile swim, then a 112mile bike, finishing with a 26.2mile marathon run)....with my father looking down on me, my uncle Brian's fighting spirit in me, and your contributions behind me,  I WILL "GO FOR IT" and I WILL GET TO THE FINISH LINE!!

With MUCH thanks and appreciation,

Sincerely,

Jeremiah O'Keefe

Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts.

Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!