Tri-california Events Blog Anything is Possible: Go Team Frankie!

By: Megan JaffeAt merely twenty four-years-old, a young man by the name of Frank Andrews Junior was diagnosed with a rare form of Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Over the next year, Frankie Jr. and his parents would endure chemotherapy and a battery of treatments that would fortunately wipe out the cancer. To celebrate his 10-year remission, Frankie Jr. looked to conquer more mountains; in 2007 he decided to join Team in Training and enter his first-ever triathlon, the notoriously grueling Wildflower Triathlon. As he trained, Frank Jr.'s parents were back to support their son again by providing water stops for the team. It wasn't long before they earned the moniker, "Team Frankie". Frank Jr.'s mother, Frances, even nourished the athletes with fresh grapes, strawberries, watermelon and other goodies and was endearingly known as the " Water Stop Queen". It would be an understatement to say that Frank Jr.'s parents were proud of their son but what his father, Frank Senior, didn't expect was the feeling of deep inspiration he experienced by watching his son take on such a great challenge. The next year, with nothing more than sideline experience, Frank Sr., also joined Team in Training, lost 50 pounds, and quickly became a triathlete. Frank Sr. couldn't wait for the day to race alongside his son. That moment materialized at the 2008 Wildflower Triathlon when the father and son duo ran down the finishing chute hand-in-hand with beaming smiles and thunderous cheering from the crowds. "What an experience it was to finish my first triathlon with my son," Frank Sr. shared, "It was a very emotional day." By 2009, the triathlon bug had bitten them both bad. Frank Jr. began filling his calendar with speaking engagements for TNT and the American Cancer Society while he and his dad also booked a full calendar of races: Wildflower, Alcatraz, local races and even a full Ironman. "Anything is Possible" became Frank Jr.'s battle cry as well as the inspiration for his speeches. His motto has also found permanent residence tattooed on his calf.Throughout the years, Team Frankie has continued training in tandem; logging as many miles as they have memories. In 2010, they both raced Tri-California's inaugural "SF Triathlon at Alcatraz" and enjoyed another memorable finish as family and friends joined them in the chute. Despite all the benefits of a healthy and athletic lifestyle, cancer would once again plague the Andrews Family. This time it was Frank Sr. who, at 67, would be diagnosed with prostate cancer. In 2013, he underwent surgery. Just as Frank Sr. started to heal and was cleared to return training, a 90% blockage was discovered in his main left artery that required a stent be placed in his heart. Again, Team Frankie, had to dig deep to find their way back to the next starting line. And they did.Next week, at Tri-California's "SF Triathlon at Alcatraz", the Andrews Family and all of Team Frankie (including grandchildren Trent & Tayla) will convene again to celebrate this family's resilience and spirit. Frank Jr. will race with girlfriend, Doreen to celebrate his 20th year of remission and Frank Sr., his full recovery. You can bet that friends and family will be there too, running and cheering alongside these men who have proven time and time again that "Anything is Possible."Share|