Posted 2/27/2008

Student group thanks hungry crowd for boosting campaign

A pancake brunch sponsored by the Dean's Student Advisory Council has raised more than $400 toward the Arnold School’s $1,000-plus goal for the Relay for Life @ USC, an April 4 fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.

"We are thrilled to have such a wonderful start and we want to thank everyone who turned out for the brunch," said DSAC representative Jamie McClellan, an exercise science student.

Deans Student Advisory Council President Benji McCollum, an exercise science student, grills sausage during the Feb. 22 fundraiser.

McClellan said the success of the Feb. 22 pancake, sausage and orange juice brunch might lead to similar fundraisers in the future.

In addition to brunch tickets, student representatives sold luminary bags and Relay for Life "One Step Closer to the Cure" stickers.

McClellan said the DSAC is continuing to organize a team to participate in the Relay that begins at 7 p.m., April 4 at the Blatt PE Field Center.

Interested persons can click on the Relay for Life website to sign up for the team or contribute. Team membership is open to faculty, staff, students and their friends and families.

The cost for joining the team is $10, with the money going toward the team goal. Registered team members may also use the website to originate email seeking donations from others. Members also can use the website and to track the school's progress toward the goal.

Persons unable to join the team can make a cash or check contribution through DSAC representatives in each of the school's six departments or the Office of Student and Alumni Services in Room 112 of the Health Sciences Building.

DSAC representatives also will be selling Relay for Life "One Step Closer to the Cure" stickers for $1. These will be displayed together with a poster showing the progress towards the team goal on the first floor of the Arnold School of Public Health buildings.

Environmental health sciences students Michelle Johnston, right, and Sara Powell ready fresh, hot pancakes at the PHRC kitchen.

Luminary Bags are selling for $10 each. A Luminary Bag is a bag with a lighted candle inside and placed on the track in honor or in memory of those who have or have had cancer. Persons also may decorate their Luminary Band and return them to a DSAC representative to be placed on the track the night of the event.

Moreover, the drive is also seeking the names of business owners who would be interested in making a donation. Contact McClellan or Meghan Baruth for more information on that part of the drive.

Those who register as walkers will be contacted by the Arnold School team captains to sign-up for a time slot to walk.

All faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to attend the event on April 4, even if they do not plan to walk.

DSAC will have a tent and table with the Arnold School banner set-up on the field and plan to have refreshments and social activities planned through-out the night.

More details about the "Party under the Tent" will be provided closer to the date. 

DSAC representatives, by department, are:

• COMD: Meredith Holzbach and Rachel Adams
• ENHS: Sara Powell and Michelle Johnston
• EPID/BIOS: Srinivasa Raghavan Madhavan and Rui Liu
• EXSC: Benji McCollum, Jamie McClellan, and Megan Baruth
• HSPM: Angie Kolovos and Jessica Bellinger
• HPEB: Kristian Gordon and Greg Dominick 
• PAPH: Catherine Carlestedt
• FACULTY/STAFF: Christy Smith

QUESTIONS: 803-777-5031