Nearly 500 students at SUNY Fredonia raised a staggering $40,000 during its Relay for Life to benefit the American Cancer Society and the fight against cancer. President Dennis L. Hefner, among those who congratulated the students who worked for the event, said, "The bar for student fundraising has just been set."
The event started off with this year's Honorary Survivor, Kelsey Kruse, sharing her story of being diagnosed with thyroid cancer while preparing to come back to Fredonia last summer. During the Luminaria Ceremony, participants were given the opportunity to honor and remember loved ones by lighting the luminaria bags that line the track. In this year's ceremony, Fredonia honored last year's honorary survivor, Nick Spawn, by announcing a bench to be dedicated in his memory that will be placed on campus.
Dominique Matties, who lost her mother, Bithiah, to cancer 12 years ago, raised the most money, $3,000, during the April 16-17 event held at Steele Hall.
Also among the top 10 fundraisers were: Rebecca Templeton, $2,510; Amanda Moore, $1,460; Emma Florian, $840; Danielle Bless, $695; Gabrielle Kelly, $515; Jenna Treahy, $415; Jennifer Gilman, $385; Scott Rivet, $375; and Laura Postula, $370.
Sponsors whose generous donations helped make this year’s event such a resounding success included Colleges 4 Change, Buster Brown Bean Co. and Undergraduate Alumni Council. Additional donations can be sent to: American Cancer Society; Attn: RFL SUNY Fredonia; 101 John James Audubon Pkwy; Amherst, NY 14228
