RachaelSTRONG

Too fat for Murph? Want to participate in a group workout for a good cause? We got you. Join us in a birthday celebration for Rachael, the strongest, sweetest, most beautiful girl I have ever known. Whose battle ended, giving her peace, February 24, 2024.

This year will be a little different. It is the inagural year of the newly formed Rachael Genelin Foundation, in honor of the best girl I have ever known. Our goal is to continue on her love of helping others. She wanted nothing more than to assist others who were struggling with not only similar problems as her, but any issues that they might have. From her everyday life, to her work life, making other peoples lives easier and better was her desire. So we will be selecting a specific family to help each year. ALL the money that is raised will go directly to the family. Any operating costs or needs will either be donated or paid for by the members of the board.

Apologies for the long read, but I could talk about her for days. The donation and workout info, along with the families situation that we are helping, is at the bottom, so you better all read it all!

In 2017 while hiking the backwoods of Grand Teton national park, Rachael suffered a stroke, revealing a brain tumor that had been dormant for 10 years. After being airlifted to University of Utah and having emergency surgery, her hardest challenge began. Brain bleeds and treatment side effects caused her to lose most of her mobility on her left side. But that didn’t stop her from fighting. As soon as she was back on her feet, she was back to work. Even as her condition deteriorated, she still worked—going back to Crossfit RPE and UXO, multiple rehab facilities, and working in our home gym. With the help of her amazing coaches and wonderful little sister, she made the best of a bad situation and busted her butt with accessible workouts. But while dedicated neuro rehab facilities did help, she always felt best at Crossfit RPE and UXO. Both places made her feel like she was her old self again. No matter how bad she was, you could find her doing her best, with a smile on her face. That never-give-up, never-quit, tenacious attitude is what we are honoring.

Never in my life, albeit short, have I seen someone go through so much pain and catch so many bad breaks, but still be so wonderful. Her strength puts to shame the toughest people I’ve met competing in football, rugby, wrestling and mixed martial arts. She wouldn’t let the pain stop her. She also never let it harden her. For someone so tough, she was the kindest and most helpful person I have ever known. While the world was burning around her, she would gladly give her water to help others put their fires out—right up to the end. Sitting in a hospital bed, with a smile on her face, she would make sure the people visiting her were doing well in their lives. I hope that one day, I am a fraction as amazing as she truly was.

The dedicated coaches at RPE and UXO would take their personal time to work with her at the gym or at our house, coming up with accessible workouts and having the patience to help her through them. It is something that I can never thank them enough for. Not only did that make her feel whole again, but it also helped her develop the strength and mindset to keep living. They made it possible for us to travel to 7 different national parks; 12 different states; Cubs, Dogs, and Bears games; and multiple hunting trips and national forests over the 7-year fight with her disease. Again, this is something I can never thank them enough for.

That’s what this event is all about. Let’s work hard, laugh, cry and remember her. Someone who I am so unbelievably lucky to have called mine. Someone who, no matter how bad my day was, just seeing would make it all better. And hopefully raise enough money to help this family. So please, give what you can. I know it's tough, but it’s tougher for the members of this family

This year we will be doing what we can to help ease the burden that the Lick family is going through. Growing up in Rachaels neighborhood, they have never known peace. Two of the sons have had long battles with brain cancer. The oldest son Michael, was diagnosed at age 5 and has been fighting it for 36 years. 25 years later a tumor what discovered in Mathew. For Michael, treatments, surgeries and bleeds over the years have caused significant congitive decline, and he is completely dependant on a care team and can not be left alone. Now at 41, he was diagnosed with a new form of cancer, which does not have any standard treatments options. And due to an infection, had to have all his teeth removed. Not being able to afford implants and having to cover the surgey out of pocket, Michael is having to use removable dentures. Along with the cost of alternative treatment options that aren't covered by insurance. This significant financial burden is what caused us to want to help. BUT, from when we decided to help, we found out that Mathews tumor had become active again. Mathew had been able to live a fairly normal life up until now. Already not being able to work, he has been taking care of their toddler while Tessa, his wife, has been providing for them. Now that the tumor is active again, Mathew had to restart treatments, but a serious bout of edema has taken his mobility, so he has had to spend the last couple weeks in inpatient rehab. Out now, he is going to need extra help, safety and accessibility equipment for the house, and daycare for their daughter. It almost sounds made up, but sadly it is not, this family is really struggling. But through all this, the entire family is stlil one of the kindest and most wonderful group of people I have ever had the pleasure of sitting down with. Let's do whatever we can to help these folks.

The workout will take place at 10am on June 6th at CrossFit RPE, Rally Point Endeavors. After the workout there will be food and drinks for participants or spectators who donated. The required donation is $25 to join the workout or watch and eat. Along with a drop in workout, food, drinks and good company, we will be raffling off a pair of tickets to the Cubs rooftop where I met Rachael. July 19th at 1pm. You could also join us for the rooftop game, part of the $170 ticket price will be donated to the foundation. Everyone who donates and joins the workout will be given at ticket. We will also have Rachael STRONG t-shirts through this link https://fiveoarmor.com/products/rachel-strong?variant=51601309335842. Shirt orders will need to be submitted by May 24th to be ready for the workout. You could pay to have them shipped directly to you, or use Crossfit RPE's address at checkout for free shipping to the gym to pickup the day of the workout! There will also be a few available for purchase at the event. If you are planning on joining us for the work out, please visit Crossfit RPEs website to sign the waiver. https://app.waiversign.com/e/65243d552c4be200185648a1/doc/65243fa524c044001913ac67?event=none

Thank you all so much. God Bless you all and I hope to see you all there.

CrossFit RPE is located at 1852 Janke Dr, Northbrook, IL 60062