West Liberty University will host a “Hilltoppers Choose Hope” walkathon and related events beginning at 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 14 at Russek Field to benefit Wheeling Hospital‘s Schiffler Cancer Center. Riesbeck’s Food Markets is the title sponsor of the event. The public is invited.
The walkathon will be a collective service activity for all first-year students enrolled in College 101: The First Year Experience. Amena Oliver Anderson, retention specialist with the university’s Center for Student Success, explained, “WLU realized the importance of including community service in its first year experience course, as well as the importance of facilitating experiences that would promote bonding and meaningful connections between students and their peers, and students and the on-campus and surrounding community.
“From the beginning, there was a lot of interest in identifying a charity which supported individuals battling all kinds of cancers as opposed to just one type. There was also a real interest in finding a charity that was local. So we are thrilled to be able to support the Schiffler Cancer Center Patient Support Fund at Wheeling Hospital and appreciate the support demonstrated by Riesbeck’s Food Markets in serving as title sponsor for this worthy cause.”
Wheeling Hospital’s Chief Executive Officer Ron Violi added, “We’re honored the university selected our Schiffler Cancer Center’s Patient Support Fund. The fund has been a blessing to our patients and their families who struggle with the cost of care. The WLU family can be assured its effort to raise funds is sincerely appreciated. The university’s staff and students are truly touching hearts and easing minds. We thank them.”
In the event of inclement weather, the walkathon will be held at the ASRC basketball court and indoor track. The walkathon, which will run from 6-11 p.m., is but one of the many activities planned. Leading up to the weekend, students in College 101 classes will be conducting a variety of fundraisers from bake sales to sports tournaments to generate donations.
Additional fundraising will continue Friday evening of the walkathon with carnival games and the sale of carnival food. T-shirts bearing the slogan, “Hilltoppers Choose Hope,” will be available for $10, with all proceeds designated for Wheeling Hospital.
Local band Evick’s Bag of Blues, which includes three WLU students, will perform throughout the evening. WLU music faculty member Dr. Linda Cowan also will perform. Events in the tailgate area include the “Lagoon of Doom” and wrecking ball inflatables, a cornhole tournament, an outdoor showing of the movie “Super 8” and many more fun activities.
In addition to games and music, there is an educational component of the fundraising event. There will be information booths where attendees may learn about cancer prevention and treatment. A pre-walkathon reception will be held at the Thomas Aquinas Center at 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 14. Survivors and their families as well as walkathon team leaders will share their experiences. Area survivors, caregivers and family members of survivors of those who have succumbed to the disease are invited to attend. Team leaders from the FYE sections are also invited to attend the reception and share their fundraising outcomes. A hospital administrator will discuss how the Cancer Patient Support fund is administered at the Schiffler Cancer Center.
The hospital’s fund is administered by Melissa Mealy, a patient navigator provided to the hospital under the American Cancer Society’s Patient Navigator Program. She assists cancer patients, especially the medically underserved, in navigating their way through the health care system. She helps patients focus on getting well by providing support every step of the way, from explaining what to expect during treatment, to making sure patients have transportation to and from appointments. She also serves as a personal guide to patients and caregivers as they face the psychosocial, emotional and financial challenges that cancer can bring. The service is free and confidential.
The funds raised by WLU will help the hospital’s Patient Support Fund, designed to offset the cost of a variety of items, including grocery store cards that can be used for food, gasoline or prescriptions, as well as nutritional supplements.
The “Hilltoppers Choose Hope” walkathon will be the culminating event of the day, concluding at WLU’s Russek Field. It will feature a survivor’s lap, caregiver’s/family member lap and the lighting of floating luminaries for survivors and those who have succumbed to cancer.
Wheeling Hospital’s Schiffler Cancer Center is the region’s only accredited comprehensive cancer program. Locally, it treats more patients than any other cancer program and is the only one providing clinical trials and conducting cancer research. The Schiffler Cancer Center is internationally recognized, having treated patients from 36 states and 14 foreign countries. Its nearly 100-member cancer care team consists of oncologists, nurses, therapists and researchers.
Any individual or group interested in participating or donating should contact Anderson at (304) 336-8274 or via email at aanderson@westliberty.edu.