Over the last five months, I have been training for my first Olympic-distance triathlon that will be in Egg Harbor, WI (Door County) on July 12, 2026. However, about a month ago, Hayden and I were given the devastating news that one of our very close friends, McKenzie Reimann, was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer on her 29th birthday (her golden birthday). Over the last couple of weeks, Kenzie has had countless doctor's appointments to properly diagnose, plan, and treat this cruel disease, and needless to say, it has taken a toll on her, her family, and friends alike. She has been traveling from Appleton to Madison and back multiple times per week, meeting with specialists and medical teams who are taking all steps possible to give her the highest quality care she deserves.

To give a bit of a background, Kenzie and Hayden met their first year of college at UWGB in 2015 and have been incredibly close friends ever since. It wasn’t until 2023 that I had the opportunity to meet Kenzie for the first time, and it was immediately clear to me the kind of person Kenzie is. The easiest way to summarize her is that she always puts others before herself and makes sure that you always feel seen and heard no matter what’s going on around her. Kenzie is the kind of person that will go out of her way to lend a helping hand, make you laugh on a bad day, and will NEVER fail to greet you with a smile.

Currently, Kenzie is a music teacher at Maplewood Intermediate School in Kimberly, WI, introducing the younger generations to the beauty and art of music. Her passion for music goes beyond the classroom as she is involved in numerous music groups and sings at local bars and restaurants. She consistently goes out of her way to give back to her community, and now it is time to give back to her and everything she does for those in her life.

Just recently, I spoke with Kenzie about my intention to use my first triathlon as a fundraiser to help with the medical and travel expenses that come with her diagnosis and treatment. She was moved to tears and graciously accepted the offer. My ask is that as the triathlon approaches, please consider donating any amount you’re comfortable with to help Kenzie through this challenging time. Any amount will make a difference in her journey, and please send all your thoughts and prayers to Kenzie and the Reimann family during this time! #KenzieStrong #FuckCancer