The Austen Everett
Foundation Mission



EMPOWER
The Austen Everett Foundation works to empower kids in their fight against cancer through the strength and support of professional and collegiate athletic teams. Together we UNITE2FIGHT

HONOR
Within AEF’s Honorary Team Captain Program a kid battling cancer is the distinguished Honorary Team Captain, providing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to benefit from the strength, support and energy that comes from professional and collegiate athletics.

INSPIRE
Through the Power of Sport, AEF works to inspire, empower and embolden kids in their fight against cancer. Dedicated to changing the way kids fight cancer, AEF programs provide fortitude, inspiration, hope and determination to kids fighting the toughest opponent of all - cancer.

AUSTEN'S STORY 1986-2012


Following is Austen's story, written by Austen.


I’ve spent my life playing soccer. I always figured if I died an untimely death it would be because of my rather extensive collection of concussions.

Soccer takes a toll on your body. If only you saw beneath my jersey, you’d know what I’m talking about. I’ve got horrific scars on both arms and discolored marks up and down my legs. I’ve learned how to take out my own stitches and can stay in an ice bath for 35 minutes before my lips turn blue. But Cancer was nothing like anything I had ever experienced and I’ve got the scars to prove it. My forearms are littered with track marks from countless IVs and blood tests. There’s a puckered wound in my lower back where they’ve drilled in my hip to get bone marrow samples, but the real prize is an 8 inch scar that runs down my stomach from my chest bone to my pelvis that’s a leftover from an exploratory surgery in which they removed a football-sized tumor from my abdomen.

Cancer has brought me to my knees. It has made me feel worse than I could ever imagine and has allowed me to see more beauty, truth, and triumph in a single day than many people experience in a lifetime. The question with chemo is what will the chemo kill first: the Cancer, or me? My exciting life has quickly become a nauseating routine of IV drips and doctors appointments. The sickness has been in the details, in the gruesome effects of the treatment. Cancer is a blurred sense of illness but chemo is an endless sequence of horrors until you begin to think that the cure is as bad or worse than the disease.

A Letter from Kari


Thank you Seattle Gym members for your interest and support of The Austen Everett Foundation. Our family has had a deep personal connection with Austen, her mother June and their extended family for several decades. We have been inspired by the legacy Austen put into action as she fought for her life at such a young age. We miss her terribly.

It is now my honor to share this vision as much as I can. You may have already attended sports events where AEF Honorary Captains have been on the field. If not yet, you will soon—Austen’s message has touched many athletes and is expanding exponentially. It is beautiful to see professional and collegiate teams embrace this opportunity to stand side by side with kids whose lives have pivoted, and athletic dreams possibly cut short. Having a team of idols behind you in your fight against cancer means the world to both kids and their families.

We hope you enjoy this opportunity to support AEF during this Holiday season with our Stocking Stuffer promotion at The Seattle Gym. This is an easy way to get your family, friends or coworkers inspired to visit the gym, possibly even with you, and kick-start their fitness resolutions. At the same time, sending the message that we at TSG join #UNITE2FIGHT.

All proceeds will go directly to Austen Everett Foundation coming from you, our generous TSG members. We hope many of you will choose to participate in this.

Thank you for being part of our neighborhood community whether as a new member, or one that has been with us since 1982. We are so very fortunate and thankful for every day.

Kari Anderson



For information on how to get involved, or further support the Austen Everett Foundation please go to: austeneverettfoundation.org

Austen Everett