Cyclist Kit Karzen Announces the Kit Karzen Foundation to Help Kids with ADHD
1/4/11 - Cyclist Kit Karzen has just announced the launch of the Kit Karzen Foundation. The Kit Karzen Foundation seeks to enrich the lives of kids and teens with ADHD by promoting and providing the inherent benefits of cycling. The foundation assists municipalities, organizations, and non-profits in the promotion, development, and sustainability of their individual cycling-associated programs.

The foundation’s mission stems from Kit being diagnosed with ADHD at eight years old. Karzen states, “I went through years of all-time lows during my time in medication programs as we were trying to contain my energy to help me focus.” At age eleven, Kit opted out of the medication programs and chose to just be himself. Years of poor grades and rocky relationships left Kit ground to his core, but that all changed when Kit’s father introduced him to the sport of track cycling. “When I was thirteen, my dad who used to race said we were going to the Encino Velodrome Youth Cycling Program. He didn’t care if I liked it, I just needed to try it.” Karzen mentions, “Ironically, I loved it, and now medication-free my life is completely different and I’m having a blast.” Karzen has gone on to win four USA National Titles, thirteen California State Titles, and juggles
his time traveling the world, competing for the USA National Team, handling his numerous business ventures, and going to college. “The ADHD has calmed down, but I still enjoy having a lot of things going on at once.”

“If there’s one thing cycling gave me it’s options. And that’s what this foundation is all about.” The foundation is kicking off 2011 by donating bicycles to its first program benefactor, the Encino Velodrome Youth Program. “That’s where I started, and that’s where we’ll start.”. The Kit Karzen Foundation will also be partnering with the 1000 Bikes Foundation. “They’re dedicated to putting a bike in the hands of 1000 foster youth and their families every year. This will allow us to go beyond the velodrome, and we intend to reach out to kids with ADHD who are in foster care and get them on bikes as well.”, Karzen said.  The Kit Karzen Foundation will be holding its official launch event at Cynergy Cycles on Saturday, January 22 from 6-9 PM. The event is open to the public.