Every October, millions of people sport the color pink in support of breast cancer. They participate in walk-a-thons, breakfast fundraisers, and buy out all pink ribbons in stock. However, one Chantilly High School student has decided to raise awareness for another form of cancer that is overshadowed by the amount of hype received by breast cancer: Brain Cancer.
Beth Ann Telford, founder of "Team BT," participated in a triathlon to help raise awareness for brain cancer.
Senior Hannah Strub decided to raise awareness for the disease by pitching the idea of hosting a run-a-thon.
“I came up with the idea because our class sponsor knows someone with brain cancer who had an amazing story,” Strub said. “So we wanted to raise awareness for people who suffer from brain cancer.”
Senior class sponsor Meredith Norris met Beth Ann Telford, who currently has brain cancer, through her sister, and became the inspiration for this event.
“Beth Ann Telford, currently has brain cancer, and she is the leading fundraiser for The National Brain Tumor Society. She is extremely active in the Northern Virginia community, and sponsors several events, ranging from 5k races to swim-a-thons, anything that has to do with staying physically fit,” Norris said. “She came and spoke at our Senior Meeting at the beginning of the year. She really captivated the seniors with her amazing story, and we are honored to help support her cause to raise awareness about brain tumors and brain cancer.”
For the event, everyone in the community is encouraged to participate, whether it is by volunteering or running at the event. If the event attracts enough runners, Strub is hoping to host class competitions and competitions between the spring sport teams.
“All ages are able to participate, so we really want to pull together the entire Chantilly community, especially our feeder elementary and middle school students,” Norris said. “It really could be a family event, in which the entire family can run to support the cause.”
All proceeds from the event will be donated to the National Brain Tumor Society to help fund the society in their search for a cure. Although the event is to raise money for brain cancer research, Strub is not naming a price point they would like to collect.
“I think that we’re never going to put a cap on how much we’re going to make,” Strub said. “We want people to get involved and raise awareness of the disease to the community.”
Although the date of the interest meeting for the run-a-thon took place February 14, the event still welcomes anyone who wants to participate in the run-a-thon. The event will ultimately be held on March 27 at the Chantilly track from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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