Currently Browsing: Top Stories
Newton outruns last year total, raises over $10,000 for Relay for Life
.
Written by Katia Macklin, Staff Writer
This year, Relay for Life has found a new way to help contribute to research for cancer: eleven brave teachers are willing to throw their pride out of the door and shave their heads.
Unlike last year, English teacher George Miles was unable to run by himself due to an injury generated during training, and asked his fellow co-workers to help him out.
Teachers, such as Reece Fowler, Rathan Kersey, Ryan Talton, Timothy Hardison, Graham Oakley, Tyler Hensley, Aaron Robinson, Laramy Wells, Ashley Hamby, Coleen Amman, and Lauren Johnson volunteered to shave their heads with goals ranging from $5,500-$10,000, and all of them went bald.
“As I ran this year,” Miles said, “others told me about the people they were running or walking for. Some mentioned a friend, an uncle, an aunt, or a cousin. Others talked about a grandparent, a spouse, or a parent. We all have different stories, but only one reason to be on the track.”
With last year’s donation amount of $8,900, Math Teacher and Relay for Life chair Diana Brown set a goal this year for $5,500, but Newton raised a total of $10,700. Also, a combination of 48 teachers, administrators, and support personnel walked a total of 25 hours on the track and more than 183 combined miles.
But with only two female teachers participating in the foundation, Amman and Johnson set their goals to a large sum of $10,000.
For Johnson the issue is personal.
“Currently, my grandmother has cancer, but she’s responding to treatment very well,” Johnson said. “I can’t get out on the track and run like Mr.Miles, so I can make a complete idiot out of myself for a good cause.”
Johnson is not the only teacher contributing who has a family member who has lost there life or is still currently battling for their life due to cancer.
“My mom passed away from lung cancer, and my grandmother and also my cousin,” Amman said. “I am just doing it [Relay for Life] to give back. I am always contributing, and if I had long hair I would have done Locks of Love.”
According to relayforlife.org, Relay for Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone involved a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember lost loved ones, and fight back against the disease. Cancer does not discriminate against race, gender or age. Millions of people die from the disease every year, and constant research is being done in order to find cures for the many different types.
Hensley also ran around the track, and he went bald for the price of $8,000.
“My family has our own team for Relay for Life, and I am doing this so hopefully one day they find a cure,” Hensley said. “I participate in all the fundraisers, and my mother in law currently has cancer.”
Email This Post
Print This Post
Leave a Reply