Headline: All donations will go to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, as requested below by Tim, a member of our Ballard Beast community.
2023 Update: Great news - An anonymous donor will match all donations up to $1,250! Year 1, 2022 you donated $795 - Awesome, thank you! Can we more than double this year?!
Details: The inaugural ‘22 Ballard Beast fundraised to support Cancer research in honor of our dear friend Tim Nygard, who since 2020 had battled colon cancer. During the 1st Beast, he was a volunteer positioned at Sunset Hill Park, actively encouraging athletes as they paced or pedaled past. On March 18th of this year we lost Tim to his battle with cancer. With heavy hearts we move forward, keeping Tim at the forefront of our thoughts for this event. While his loss has left a hole in many of our hearts, we are passionate to use the Ballard Beast as a way to help further his legacy.
Tim Nygard was a proud 3rd generation Ballard native, born and raised. He and Connor’s friendship date back 25 years and our families remain close both living in North Seattle.
Here are some words from Tim leading up to the ’22 Ballard Beast:
“When Connor first brought up the idea of the Ballard Beast I thought it was an awesome blend of his passion for fitness and competition and our shared roots in the Ballard community. When he asked me if I would be interested in making my battle against cancer part of the vision of the event I was even more excited.”
Tim went on to encourage us all to further support cancer research and awareness of colon cancer screening:
“Connor left it open to me as to how I would like to see this inaugural Ballard Beast race contribute to something impactful to me. . . . I told him I would love to find a way to support families who have dealt with the geographical disruptions that my family and I haven't had to face. The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is an independent, private, nonprofit organization focused on Cancer research and care located in the Heart of Seattle. For nearly 50 years "The Hutch", as it is known, has provided housing and resources for patients and families receiving cancer at a network of clinics and hospitals around the Pacific Northwest. I told Connor that if the Ballard Beast and its participants and volunteers could contribute in some way to the amazing work the Hutch is doing I would be greatly appreciative.
Lastly, I would strongly encourage you all to get screened for colon cancer. When I was diagnosed I was 37, in good health and had experienced no common symptoms of colon cancer. The pain which led to my diagnosis was actually from my liver. The recommended screening age is currently 45. This was recently reduced from 50 but in my opinion the age should be 35. I believe that cost and stigma can prevent younger people from getting screened. I wish I could go back in time to age 35 and get screened. It would have prevented everything I've had to endure the last two and half years. The cost of a screening even when not covered by insurance is reasonable and there are now very accurate non-invasive screenings for people who are low risk.
- Tim”
