You can support Mika with your warm pledge, please click here

You can support Sumie with your lovely pledge, please click here


Ironwomen’s fundraising challenge for the Tyler Foundation


Ironman is a category of triathlon race which consists of a 3.8km swim, a 180km bike ride and a marathon (42.195km run), with athletes racing all three sports consecutively within 16 hours. 22 official Ironman races are held all over the world.

We, Sumie Kawakami and Mika Tokairin, are going to compete in two of these races. Sumie will do Ironman Great Britain on August 2 and Mika, Ironman Canada on August 30. As amateur athletes, our target is to complete these tough 226km long races and we are now training hard.

On top of that, we also wondered if our challenge could help someone, in some way. Therefore, we decided to join the Tyler Foundation’s fund raising project. To compete in a race for someone else would be a great motivation for us, especially when we face difficulties during the race.


The Tyler Foundation supports children with cancer in Japan


Based in Tokyo, the Tyler Foundation, a registered nonprofit charities and fundraising organization, is dedicated to making life better for children with cancer in Japan and their families. The idea for the foundation was inspired by the two-year battle with infant leukemia of Mark and Kim Ferris’ son Tyler. After his death, Mark and Kim formed the Foundation, which is supported entirely by private and corporate donations. During the Tokyo Marathon, for example, many runners ran in support for the organization, and succeeded in collectively raising a significant amount.

Kim says, “Children with cancer endure lond and painful treatment with their doctors and nurses encouraging them, saying ‘Hang in there just a little more.’ That’s why they love to cheer up for other adults.” We will do all we can to finish our Ironman races to become ‘Ironwomen’, thinking of the children who cheer for us. Please join our efforts by supporting the Tyler Foundation.

You can learn how to make donations as follows. Please feel free to let us know if you need receipts.


How can you donate?