Vanderbilt team members gather for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure at Maryland Farms in Brentwood. This was the largest team Vanderbilt has ever fielded for the annual event. (photo by Anne Washburn)
Vanderbilt teams set new records for cancer fundraising
Vanderbilt teams participated in several cancer walks this year, setting new records for the amount of money pledged for cancer research.
Vanderbilt won the largest health care team award at the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure for breast cancer, which was held at Maryland Farms in Brentwood.
Vanderbilt won first place for the third year in a row, as 340 walkers raised $27,822, an increase of $10,000 from last year, according to Jill Forbert, marketing coordinator and organizer for the Vanderbilt teams.
During the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Light the Night event at LP Field, 58 Vanderbilt team members raised $11,099; nearly five times the amount raised last year. Vanderbilt also provided $5,000 in cash sponsorship for the event.
Vanderbilt racers also snagged a new fund-raising record during the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life in Davidson and Williamson counties, raising $15,000.
“We thought this would be a difficult year for fundraising because of the sluggish economy,” said Cynthia Manley, associate director of Communications for Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.
“We were amazed by the generosity of team members and their sponsors and the Vanderbilt teams should be proud of their accomplishments in support of cancer research and programs for cancer patients.”