Stacy Hutto
Managing editor
The Pre-Med Club of Southeastern raised $966 during the Great Strides Walk on April 20. Thanks to a late donation the final amount raised for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation was $1,000.
Dr. Loide Wasmund, professor of chemistry and faculty adviser for the Pre-Med Club said there were 25 people who participated in the walk. People sponsor walkers for the Great Strides Walk, or they could come to the event and simply donate.
Wasmund said, “The most money raised by one individual was $230.”
People from the Southeastern and Durant community participated in the walk and raised money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
According to cff.org, “Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States. A defective gene and its protein cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus.”
The mucus clogs the lungs and causes lung infections. It also obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food, according to cff.org.
Statistics on cff.org state there are about 1,000 new cases diagnosed each year. More than 70 percent of patients are diagnosed by age 2. More than 45 percent of people with cystic fibrosis is older than 18. The predicted median age of survival for a person with Cystic Fibrosis is in the late 30s.
Participants in the Great Strides Walk had to make five laps around a mile-long course. The course started on the front lawn of Southeastern by the fountain. It then went down University Boulevard to Seventh Avenue, up Seventh Avenue to Montgomery Street, down Montgomery Street to Fourth Avenue and Fourth Avenue back to University Boulevard.
There were three different stations where walkers had to check in and get their cards marked. The first station was the starting point on the Southeastern front lawn. The first station was where Wasmund was positioned, and later in the day Cord Carter joined her.
The second station was in the parking lot on the corner of Seventh Avenue and Montgomery Street. Where Pre-Med Club President Kayle Bryant, Vice-President Preston Dye and members Brett Doyle and Megan Moss checked off participants.
The third and final station was behind the Glen D. Johnson Student Union, where Abby Jonas, Megan Kunkel and Cody Powell were set up to mark people off as they walked by.
According to Wasmund, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation contacted the Pre-Med Club and asked if they would be interested in sponsoring a Great Strides Walk.
Wal-Mart donated snacks, water and ice for participants of the walk. They also donated an iTunes, Olive Garden and Chili’s gift card, each worth $25. The gift cards were awarded to participants at the end of the day.
Wasmund said the Chili’s gift card went to Dr. Tim Smith, the iTunes card went to Heather Hartline and Hannah McMurtrey received the Olive Garden card.