On the crisp morning of Saturday, April 2, students, families, Lee faculty and community members came out to Cleveland's 16th annual Great Strides walk and the 14th annual 65 Roses 5k in order to run for those who can't, and to raise funds for loved ones who have suffered or are suffering from cystic fibrosis (CF).
The total amount raised from the race as of Saturday was $59,454, however, Vice President of Student Development Mike Hayes said this amount will increase over the next couple of weeks, and the grand total raised will be announced on April 20.
Hosted since 2001, this spring brings the current 16 year total to $847,454. Lee University partners with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation each year, and the money raised for Great Strides goes directly to their Knoxville regional office.
'Lee University invests a significant amount of money in the event each year as well," Hayes said. " All of the fun stuff on Saturday is part of the university hosting the event for families with a member with CF, our community partners, and our campus family."
Great Strides not only impacts lives within the Cleveland community, but touches the lives of students on Lee's campus who have been personally affected by CF.
Ashley Newson, junior, said the effects of CF have impacted her personally. Newson's mother was born with CF and lived with the disease until her death at 47. According to The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, it is a life threatening genetic disease that causes persistent lung infections and progressively limits the ability to breathe.
She recently passed away five months ago.
'When you grow up with a parent with cystic fibrosis, your life is completely changed because things are never normal,' Newson said. 'My mom went in and out of the hospital all the time, and the fact that I am here today is a miracle because she wasn't supposed to have kids, nor live past the age of 18.'
Newson's favorite childhood vacation was spending a week every summer at Sunny Shores Sea Camp in Florida, a camp for patients suffering from CF and their families who journeyed alongside them in their battle. Newson said the camp's purpose wasn't to physically heal those who were suffering, but instead to create community and build a support system as a safe place to be loved on and encouraged by in times of difficulty and fear.
Newson said the hope the camp gave her family filled motivated her to give back, which led to the #TeamTina fundraiser at Great Strides this year.
'After my mom died, I knew that my [residential life and housing] friends on staff in Medlin hall danced through the Great Strides 5K every year, and I wanted to celebrate the fact my mom can dance in heaven now that she is no longer here," Newson said. "So I asked if they could dance in her honor while wearing yellow headbands that say #TeamTina.'
Newson collected the money raised by the headbands, and will write a check to send to the Sunny Shores Sea Camp in hopes that this will help the camp continue to impact and change lives as much as it did her's and her mother's.
Newson said she was overwhelmed with the amount of compassion and joy she witnessed while participating in this year's Great Strides race. She saw many individuals wearing shirts to represent and honor loved ones who are struggling with CF, or who have lost their lives, who ran for those who can't.
'To me, Great Strides means the promise of hope for other people with cystic fibrosis,' Newson said. 'My mom isn't here anymore, but that doesn't mean someone else shouldn't get the chance to have a longer life.'
Newson described her mother as her best friend and inspiration, adding that no matter her circumstances, she never stopped fighting her disease and never stopped loving on her family in the process.
'It is an incredible thing to be in a lot of pain, yet still find joy in sharing my mom's story,' Newson said. 'I want to continue to share her story and the impact that cystic fibrosis has had on my life for the people who have questions and who need hope, and to give them the opportunity to look at what they are going through and to know it's not the end.'
Throughout Newson's journey at Lee University, she said she has never been more encouraged and thankful for such an incredible support system from her residential life and housing staff and peers, and for such understanding and kindness from her professors.
'I am here today because no matter how much it hurts, I know my mom would want me to continue my education and earn my degree,' Newson said. 'I hope that students see that the events Lee puts on aren't just for nothing; they are meant to changes lives.'
