We’d like to introduce to you our newest site sponsor, The Brett Saks Foundation. Today Kim Saks, Brett’s wife, is here to share with us their story.
On October 4th, 2008, I became a widow and a single mom. While training for a charity bicycle event, my husband Brett Saks was struck and killed by a driver under the influence of sleeping pills.
Brett was the kind of guy who had a vision one day and made it a reality the next. As a doctor, he did this for his patients, too. Patients would come to him hoping to be helped by his natural approach to health, and they were. But, they also received much more. Brett was a friend and made instant connections with each person that came into his office. He knew the names of his patients’ children. He called patients at home to check on them, and he even made house calls when patients were too injured or ill to come in.
So, you see, it wasn’t a difficult decision to create a nonprofit in Brett’s honor. It was a natural progression, really. Brett gave so much to so many. He gave time, advice, friendship and support. Brett accomplished more in one day than most people do in a week, and most of it was about helping others.
As a mom, I want to teach my children by example: I am resilient, and even through grief, I can accomplish great things. As a teacher, I want to reach as many children as possible, to empower them to become leaders in their families and community. They can literally save lives (more than 600 a year!) by educating themselves and others about safe bicycling. Together, and in Brett’s name, we can all make a difference!
I was so lucky to have been Brett’s wife for 13 years. Our two children, Aaron and Ana, have many of the same wonderful qualities as their father. As hard as it is to live without him, he continues to inspire us every day. People who never knew Brett are also inspired by him. For me, this is the greatest tribute to him that I can think of.
If you have a chance, starting Monday, August 19th, please visit the foundation’s newly revamped website with your kids at http://www.gearupaz.org/ to learn more about Brett and the Brett Saks Foundation, the upcoming BSF Bike Land at Chandler Day of Play (Help your kids build their own cycling team!) and our mission to save lives, develop mutual respect on the roadways, positively impact our environment, and teach healthy exercise habits through safe cycling.
Kim Saks
Founder, The Brett Saks Foundation & Educator
“Shifting Gears to Save Lives”
The Brett Saks Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, hopes to make our Arizona communities safer for bicyclists by teaching adults and children about road safety and mutual respect between drivers and cyclists in fun and engaging ways. We are “Shifting Gears to Saves Lives,” as more than 600 cyclists are lost each year to car-bike accidents. Learn more at gearupaz.org.
(3) nonprofit, hopes to make our Arizona communities safer for bicyclists by teaching adults and children about road safety and mutual respect between drivers and cyclists in fun and engaging ways. We are "Shifting Gears to Saves Lives," as more than 600 cyclists are lost each year to car-bike accidents. Learn more at gearupaz.org.){kind=link}