“Brax has always been a very smart, athletic, and determined individual and that did not change when she was diagnosed with cancer,” said Erin Battaglia, Braxton’s mother. “Her positive mindset was a huge part of her fight over 2.5 years of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Her determination to stay strong and return to her love of gymnastics has been a huge motivator throughout her treatment.”

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (August 8, 2023) – Braxton “Brax” Battaglia, a Level 7 women’s artistic gymnast from Blaine, Minnesota, has been named as the USA Gymnastics 2023 Robert Miller Spirit of the Flame Award winner. Battaglia will receive the award at the 2023 USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the San Jose Convention Center in August.

Battaglia, 13, was selected as a recipient of the award by the USA Gymnastics Athlete’s Council in recognition of her fortitude and perseverance after being diagnosed with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-Cell ALL) in 2019.

“I am so honored and thankful to receive this award,” said Battaglia. “It means so much to me and without the amazing gymnastics community I would not be where I am today.”

“[Battaglia] is a young individual who demonstrates how to live a life full of passion as well as serve by giving back to the community. Her foundation, the TB1 Fund, is a wonderful, charitable organization that supports families going through similar diagnoses,” said Jessica Renteria, USA Gymnastics’ Athlete’s Council Chair. “In the past few years, Brax’s battle with leukemia has and continues to be challenging; however, she exhibits a fighter spirit that shines through adversity. The Athlete Council is honored to recognize Brax as this year’s recipient of the Spirit of the Flame Award. We are proud to have her as part of the USA Gymnastics family.”

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Brax is set to finish her current round of treatment on November 15, 2024. After that, she aims to continue her gymnastics journey at Twin City Twisters.

Braxton (aka Brax) was diagnosed with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-Cell ALL) in January of 2019.  She is currently in remission with an end of chemo date set for May 28, 2021.  After seeing first hand (95+ nights spent on Floor 5) how critical of a role Child Family Life and areas such as Kyle Rudolph's End Zone, the Zucker Family Suite and Broadcast Studio, and the "Row The Boat" Fleck Family Fund play in both the mental and physical recovery of cancer patients, she felt a strong desire to help others going through the same fight.

www.braxtonbattaglia.com for more on Brax's story and journey.

Source: https://tb1fund.org/

TB1Fund - what is it and what does it mean?  When Brax was initially diagnosed all of her family, friends, and teammates rallied around her and formed Team Brax.  Taking that a step further, her social media name is TeamBrax1, and that is where the TB1 comes from.

And why?  To give Brax a platform to help kids and families going through the life changing events cancer plays in the lives of everyone affected by cancer.  

Cancer doesn't discriminate.

TB1F's mission is to positively affect every child and family who comes through the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital.

Whether that be financial support in areas of basic need, positive outreach through social functions, Brax's exclusive 5th Floor T-shirt for all cancer patients, and by supporting Kyle Rudolph's End Zone, the Zucker Family Suite and Broadcast Studio, and "Row The Boat" Fleck Family Fund with their incredible programming, TB1F and Brax are dedicated to making a difference.

Being able to provide positive experiences that can immediately affect patients and families is critical to Brax's mission.