Posted: June 9, 2005

Triathlon: Jessi Stensland Joins ITP Foundation at 'Escape from Alcatraz'

Darien, CT, – World class triathlete Jessi Stensland, whose career highlights include championship placements in the Half Ironman Mexico, the Tijuana International Triathlon and the San Diego International Triathlon, will make a special appearance at the ITP Foundation booth at the Accenture “Escape from Alcatraz” Triathlon, held June 12 in San Francisco.

Stensland, who is co-Sports Director of the non-profit ITP Foundation, will sign autographs as a way to draw attention to the Foundation, which battles the serious bleeding disorder ITP (Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura). As co-Sports Director, Stensland encourages people to join or support the ITP Team, a group of athletes of all stripes who raise funds for the Foundation through participation in endurance events.

Athletes who join the ITP Team now can reap a singular benefit. Through a special arrangement with Ironman North America, any member of the ITP Team who meets specific qualifications may obtain a slot in upcoming 2005 Ironman events in Wisconsin, Canada, Florida and Lake Placid. Participants still must pay the required entry fee, but they are guaranteed a slot, most of which are already sold out for 2005. Among endurance athletes, a place in an Ironman North America event is highly prized. Details are available by emailing the ITP Foundation at info@itpfoundation.org.

“This generous arrangement with Ironman North America is a win-win situation,” says Stensland. “Qualifying athletes get to compete in a highly competitive race, and kids with ITP benefit from the money they raise. Plus, knowing that what you are doing is helping others may give you that little extra push you need to do that much better, finish that much faster.”

For more information about the ITP Foundation or about joining the ITP Team and taking advantage of this generous offer from Ironman North America, please contact the Foundation offices by email at info@itpfoundation.org.

About the ITP Foundation

The ITP Foundation was established to raise awareness of ITP. An autoimmune disease and bleeding disorder, ITP causes platelet counts to drop drastically, resulting in severe bruising and/or bleeding throughout the body. Treatments are necessary to raise and maintain the platelet counts, and people affected by the disorder must make significant lifestyle changes.

Although individuals of any age may contract ITP, the focus of the ITP Foundation is on ITP in children and adolescents. The ITP Foundation takes an active role in raising awareness through outreach efforts on both a local and national level. This is done through sporting, social and educational events. The primary focus will be on sponsorship of endurance athletes who raise funds for the ITP Foundation.

In addition, the ITP Foundation funds important research that directly benefits children and adolescents with ITP and provides financial assistance for families with children affected by ITP.

About Jessi Stensland

Since grabbing her first overall win and silver medal at the 1999 ITU Amateur World Championships in Montreal, Jessi Stensland has become one of the nation’s leading triathletes. After entering the professional circuit in 2000, Jessi achieved her first professional win only one year later at St. Kitts, which features one of the toughest bike courses on the circuit. Other championship placements have included the 2004 Half Ironman Mexico, the 2004 Tijuana International Triathlon, 2003 Mission Bay Triathlon, 2002 San Diego International Triathlon and 2002 Carlsbad Triathlon. Jessi’s current focus is on qualifying for the 2008 Olympic Games.

Visit Jessi's website at: GoJessi.com.