Heidi Lepper Barrett, Ph.D.

"With support, we can all achieve our goals.  Team ITP is giving me a way to use my athletic ability to fund the support that kids with ITP need and deserve... for kids themselves have the loftiest of goals."

Hello! I am a 38 year old mother of two, a part-time Professor of Psychology at Drake University and a fun-loving triathlete. My son Grayson was first diagnosed with acute ITP in April of 2005 when he was 5 and a half (that half is always important to 5 year olds!) and hospitalized for several days. It was a scary time because Grayson’s platelets were as low as they could get (hint: pretty much nonexistent!) and he went through a bone marrow test to rule out anything other than ITP. After a few months, however he happily recovered. Just recently (October 2008) his platelets fell to dangerously low levels again and after another hospital stay he has been diagnosed a second time with acute ITP.

When we learned about the ITP Foundation and how I can use the sport of endurance events to support kids like Grayson and much needed research and support, I jumped on board. And Grayson himself has competed, now the age of 9, in two triathlons himself, so we are hoping that he and I together can make a difference!

Click below to donate to Heidi's fundraising campaign

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