Cheri Blauwet is a Paralympic Gold Medalist and powerful voice for disability rights. She firmly believes in the mantra: think globally, act locally. That's why her community involvement ranges from helping local programs like BAWSI Rollers (Bay Area Women's Sports Initiative) or BORP (Bay Area Outreach & Recreation Program) to the Kampala Kids League, a sports program in Uganda. BAWSI Rollers utilizes professional athletes who have competed in the Paralympic Games to serve as coaches for kids and BORP promotes accessible sports opportunities for people physical disabilities. Cheri has worked with both to get more kids with physical disabilities active and healthy.

She is dedicated to breaking the social barriers and stigmas associated with disabilities and wants to promote sport as a way of enhancing overall health and well-being for everyone. Her passion for helping people on a day-to-day basis has led her to the field of medicine. As a physician, Cheri combines her experience as a professional athlete with the clinical practice and research to help empower those with disabilities.

She is inspired by positive attitudes and the feeling of I CAN. "I just do it because I feel like I can... and I love that. I'm so blessed."

About Cheri Blauwet

In addition to winning a Gold Medal for the 800m and two Bronze Medals for the 5000m and Marathon in the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, Cheri has won several major marathons. She won the 2003 and 2004 New York City Marathons, the 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2008 L.A. Marathons, and the 2004 and 2005 Boston Marathons. She is currently studying to be a doctor at Stanford University and has been active with the International Paralympic Committee, promoting international sporting opportunities.