Alpha Sigma Tau (AST) hosted the Cystic Fibrosis Walk this Saturday, Oct. 15 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in effort to raise awareness of cystic fibrosis and to help raise funds to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. An estimated 100 or more students participated in the event, helping AST raise up $150 to $200. The meeting point of the whole event was held at Lankford Student Union with the band, The Ben Phelps Project, lending a helping hand in causing the event to be more noticeable by playing their own concert for Longwood students to enjoy.
AST President Maggie Thomas said, "AST really represents some really good philanthropies, and I think because we're a smaller chapter, we have a really, really good sense of sisterhood. We all stick together, small and mighty."
Longwood students were able to register to walk by paying $3 during Dorrill Dining Hall lunch hours or by paying $5 at the day of the event. Handed a safety pin with a purple ribbon attached, the student is then sent on his or her way to walk down Redford Street, up Griffin Boulevard, along Co. Road 643, down Venable Street, and back up Madison Street to arrive back at Lankford Student Union. Alpha Sigma Tau provided water to prevent dehydration from attendants during the walk, and also provided fruits, cheeses, and other healthy snacks at the end.
Advertising through word of mouth, posters, and a Facebook event, AST provided facts of what cystic fibrosis is in each medium to help spread awareness of the disease. Thomas commented that, "I think the most difficult part is getting the word out there because no matter what you do there are gonna be people you don't reach. So, we're working on getting our publicity out there and changing how we're doing that.
According to the Walk to Cure Cystic Fibrosis Facebook event page, "[Cystic Fibrosis] is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lung and digestive system of 70,000 people worldwide. 1,000 people are diagnosed with disease every year."
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation website described the disease in that it, "clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections; and obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food."
AST Philanthropy Chair and ICR Chair Coreyanne Beverly Kotek mentioned that she knew people who have been affected by cystic fibrosis. "In honor of them, we do the walk," she said. "We try to help out as much as we can."
Thomas said, "We have been supporting cystic fibrosis since Zeta Tau was established here." She further commented that, "As president, I really want to get the awareness out there, make sure people know that this is a really good cause."
"When we go to our chapter meetings, we learn something new about all our philanthropies. So, we're taking that and trying to get it out to the campus, instead of just in our chapter," said Thomas.
Senior Chris Cheatham was one of the many Longwood students who helped make the event a success by being of the walkers. He found out about the event by word of mouth, saying, "I know a bunch of the Alpha Sigma Tau sisters, and I wanted to come out and support the cause."
Cheatham added that, "We've already been provided with so much in our lives that it's important that you realize you need to give back."
"I try to get out more, but whenever I can when I have time," said Cheatham, who suggested others to "try and get out maybe at least once a month ... It's a personal choice. It's definitely providing for the community."
AST member Danielle Gunderson mentioned other fundraising events hosted by the sorority, as seen by Chic-fil-a fundraisers and opportunities to donate at Spring Weekend and Oktoberfest at Alpha Sigma Tau's table. Gunderson said, "I thank everyone who came out and supported us, everyone who made donations"
Kotek added that, "Next semester, we have "Rockathon", which is for cystic fibrosis. We sit outside, play a little rock music. We're trying to get rocking chairs ... We raised over 500 [dollars] last year."
When asked if Longwood students should anticipate another Cystic Fibrosis Walk, Thomas said, "I think we're definitely going to go for a third [Cystic Fibrosis Walk] because the money that we've raised as well as the awareness that we've got on campus has really helped not only just this community, but Longwood as a whole, Farmville as a whole, and we hope to keep branching out and get it much, much bigger. So, we're going to keep going."
