This year’s Walk Away Cancer raised 44,358.89 dollars, nearly twice the amount of Whitman’s first Walk Away Cancer event last year.
Three hundred students, family members and others in the community gathered around the track on Saturday to help the fight against cancer as a division of the University of Maryland’s Terp Thon.
The program at the University of Maryland holds six to seven events, including performances and mini-marathons, throughout the course of a year at many local venues to raise money for the Children’s National Health System. These events lead up to a culminating event, a 12-hour dance marathon at the University of Maryland, to celebrate the grand donation total.
At Whitman, all proceeds from Walk Away Cancer go to the Children’s National in D.C.
“Pediatric cancer can happen to anyone,” said junior Jaiwen Hsu, the head of the event. “We tell people that the money they raise will ensure that everyone receives the treatment they need and deserve, and further cancer research to one day find the cure.”
This year’s event had a multitude of attractions: a photo station, moonbounce, and face-painting. There were also live performances by the University of Maryland’s acapella group, the Generics, along with Whitman band The Monopoly and seniors Bryan Eng and Kyle Cho.
“This year, we incorporated a lot more carnival games and events like face painting, and raffles for prizes,” sophomore and leadership member Emma Forde said.
Because the community was more familiar with the event, more of them came out to provide for the less fortunate and made the event as successful as it was, Forde explained.
Senior Adam Seltzer, Mini-Marathon chairman Kelly Boyle and cancer survivor Amanda Merrell all spoke at the event.
Amanda was only two when she discovered a lump on her leg, and doctors at the Children’s Hospital diagnosed her with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare and dangerous form of cancer. Merrell had to undergo 14 rounds of chemotherapy and received an amputation of her left leg.
Merrell stayed strong through her treatment, and music brought her a sense of relief. She sang “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten and “What Doesn’t Kill You” by Kelly Clarkson at the event, inspiring all in attendance.
“It was emotional to sing, because it really relates to what kids are doing, and what life really is,” Merrell said. “I want to give hope to others who are going through the same story. I’m just really glad so many people came out to support this cause.”
As the skies grew dark, the event came to a close. But the evening proved to be a success, with people enjoying the night air, and supporting an important cause.
“I really liked all the live music and attractions—they definitely add to the event,” senior Lauren Eng said. “I think it’s really cool how even though I’m just here at this event, I’m helping to raise awareness for cancer.”
Many families struggle with cancer’s effect on their loved ones, so this event both promoted cancer research and donations and provided empathy to these families.
“You feel a dedication to this cause, even if you don’t have someone struggling with cancer,” member of UMD’s Mini-Marathon committee and Walk Away Cancer captain Karm Saimbre said. “You see these young kids struggling with leukemia and still fighting. I just feel compelled to devote myself to this cause because I have it so good. It’s like, why not?”
