A Fighter, An Athlete, A Gymnast

Braxton Battaglia: My Story

I was born in Wyoming, MN and lived in Forest Lake for a year before mom and dad moved to Blaine. I was a FAT baby/toddler and my dad still teases me about that. Mom put me in rec gymnastics when I was 3 for something to do. I wasn’t very good – maybe the worst in my group, but I liked it! I continued rec gymnastics for a couple of years and then started pre-team when I started school. I really enjoyed starting school and trying new sports, but was really enjoying gymnastics as my skills improved. In 1st Grade, I transitioned to the Xcel Bronze team at Perpetual Motion in Blaine and finally was able to compete – now things started to get FUN!! However, after the season my coach left and with her leaving and no real forward plan for the gym, she recommended that I go look/tryout at Twin City Twisters in Champlin. She made a phone call to get the ball rolling. We have been there ever since and loving it. I moved into the JO program and competed Level 3 last year and Level 4 this year….thankfully.

Read more here: HERE

Wide Receiver, University of Minnesota

Rashod Bateman started at wide receiver as a true freshman and set Minnesota freshman records with 51 receptions and 704 receiving yards while scoring six touchdowns.[4][5] As a sophomore, Bateman was named a semi-finalist for the Fred Biletnikoff Award and first team All-Big Ten and the Richter–Howard Receiver of the Year after catching 57 passes for 1,170 yards (20.5 yards per catch) and 11 touchdowns.[6][7] Bateman was named a second team All-American by Sports Illustrated and USA Today and was a third team selection by the Associated Press.[8]

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rashod_Bateman

"Ya'll flip on this thing....WHAT!!!!"
- Bate

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.