Athletes for BSF

Take on a challenge. Make it mean more.

Whether you're running a 5K, training for a marathon, cycling, swimming, or taking on a challenge of your own, you can turn your next athletic goal into an opportunity to support the Barth syndrome community.

Athletic fundraisers hold a special place in our community. Barth syndrome affects the mitochondria, which play a critical role in how the body produces energy. Individuals living with Barth syndrome can experience significant fatigue and exercise intolerance, making physical activity especially challenging. That connection gives every mile, race, ride, and athletic challenge taken on in support of our community added meaning.

Choose Your Challenge

There is no one way to be an Athlete for BSF. Sign up for a local 5K. Run your first marathon. Take on a cycling or swimming event. Challenge yourself to something you've always wanted to accomplish.

Already registered for an event? You can make BSF part of your journey by creating a fundraiser and inviting your friends, family, and community to support you along the way.

We'll Support You Along the Way

You bring the determination. We'll help with the fundraising.

Athletes for BSF receive resources designed to make sharing your challenge and raising funds as easy as possible, including:

• A personalized fundraising page — A unique page you can personalize and share with friends, family, coworkers, and your community.
• An Athlete Support Guide — Information about Barth syndrome and BSF so you can confidently talk about the community you're supporting.
• Social media + digital resources — A suggested six-week posting schedule, sample captions, fundraising ideas, and a digital Athlete Media Kit with BSF logos and ready-to-use branded imagery to make posts easier to create.
• BSF athlete swag — Represent the Barth community while you train, compete, and go about your day. Wearing BSF gear beyond race day can help start conversations and introduce new people to Barth syndrome.
• Supporter swag — Resources for the people cheering you on.

• Support from the BSF team — We're here to answer questions, help you think through a fundraising goal, celebrate milestones, and share ideas for online and in-person fundraising throughout your campaign.

   

A Small Community Where Every Supporter Matters

Barth syndrome is an ultra-rare genetic disorder, with an estimated incidence of only 1 in 300,000 to 1 in 400,000 people. For a community this small, every person who chooses to show up can make a meaningful difference.

Athletes for BSF help introduce Barth syndrome to people who may otherwise never hear about it, bringing new supporters into our community while raising funds to help advance research and support families.
 

Meet Our Athletes

Every athlete has a different challenge, and we're so grateful to our past athletes, pictured on this page, for their support:

Ready to Join the Team?

Your next finish line can help move the Barth syndrome community forward. Whether you already have an event on the calendar or are just beginning to think about your next challenge, we'd love to have you on Team BSF.

Contact the BSF Fundraising Team at fundraisingteam@barthsyndrome.org.