LECOM students raise more than $5,300 for American Cancer Society
Students from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie raised $5,363.45 for the American Cancer Society during LECOM’s annual Relay For Life event.
ERIE, PA — The final numbers are in and they surpassed everyone’s expectations. Students from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie raised $5,363.45 for the American Cancer Society during LECOM’s annual Relay For Life event. Students presented a check to Kelley Spaeder, Community Income Development Specialist, of the American Cancer Society.
LECOM students more than doubled the amount they raised last year. Over 150 students from the LECOM College of Medicine, School of Pharmacy and Post Baccalaureate Program participated in the event. They raised money by getting pledges from family members and friends and through online donations at relayforlife.org.
The LECOM Student Government Association (SGA) traditionally held its Relay For Life event outdoors in early May when the weather can often be cold or rainy. This year, the decision was made to move the event to February and hold it indoors at the LECOM John M. & Silvia Ferretti Medical Fitness and Wellness Center. In addition to walking, some students worked out on the exercise machines. Seven students took part in a doughnut eating contest and another 30 challenged each other in a trivia competition held during the four-hour Relay For Life event.
“It was really wonderful seeing everyone show up and participate,” said outgoing SGA First Vice President Erin Brennan, who was one of the event organizers. “They were very enthusiastic. The students took time out from their studies to support a great cause.” In fact, some first-year medical students had a test the following Monday and carried study materials with them as they walked around the track.
Spaeder, who has worked with LECOM students at Relay For Life events over the past several years, said she was impressed by the enthusiasm and dedication the students had in taking on this project. “This was a banner year for them. They did a really good job,” she said. “They got involved, were energized and raised a huge amount of money for us.”
SGA invited Spaeder to speak at one of the organization’s meetings and the students were able to get an early start on their fundraising efforts. Spaeder said all of the money raised will stay in Erie County. “We think it’s great. It’s going to help us with all our patient services, our education and prevention detection messaging,”
LECOM Bradenton students will hold their Relay For Life event in Lakewood Ranch, Fla., on April 9-10.
Rob Macko
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Media Relations
(814) 860-5125
(814) 866-8408 Fax
rmacko@lecom.edu
The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and LECOM School of Pharmacy offer innovative and affordable education in osteopathic medicine and pharmacy. From campuses in Erie, Pennsylvania, Greensburg, Pennsylvania and Bradenton, Florida, LECOM provides student-centered pathways to prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals. Prepare yourself for medicine as your life’s profession.
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