If you know Alison, you love Alison. She wears her heart on her sleeve and once you hear her story, you’ll never forget it—it’s a story of faith, resilience, love, and courage that stays with you.

Four years ago on a hot summer day, Alison headed out for her long ride of the week. Training to snag that slot at Worlds for Ironman 70.3 to go to New Zealand and for Kona in the fall, she never would have guessed her life would be so radically changed. While cycling west on a quiet country road alone, she saw a US Postal sprinter van in the distance. Being on the far white line, she watched in shock as he neared closer and closer and veered over more and more into her lane. The rest, thank goodness, she doesn’t recall. Alison bent the front end of the van, slamming head on into the light, bending the truck with her body and clipping the van. After flying 65 feet, she layed in the cement irrigation ditch alongside the country road. With the sun burning down on her, she awoke hearing a panicked voice talking to 911. Countless doctor office visits, physical therapy, chronic pain care, quarterly injections in her pinched occipital nerve/spine and 12 surgeries now later, Alison has been in the hospital for nearly 10 days due to an infection from another surgery to repair damage from the accident to her clavicle and shoulder. In April she had sternoclavicular joint repair surgery. It never felt right. Sure enough, by May it was apparent there was some sort of infection. This summer she has been sent to the ER 7 times, with 3 hospital stays and has had 3 surgeries alone just for this infection. Alison has such a passion for her family, friends and community, being known for radiating positivity and sunflower brightness wherever she goes.

Alison and Brandon are the first person to show up for others. They are a giver, a helper, and the most generous soul we know. Now, it’s our turn to return that overwhelming generosity. We know accepting help isn't easy for them, but we are all here and ready to help in any way possible—whether it’s a meal, a note, or a ride. This is one time they simply have to let us be their helpers.