Summer Catch Up DRE Events: Hoof it for Haiti Southbury, Cheshire Half Marathon and 5K, & Marrakech Inc CT Race
Hello everyone! It’s been quite a while since I wrote about the past events Give A Spit was at. This is a summer catch up about three events that I have not written about. I will be heading to camp over the summer and will not be able to help with any GAS drives but I will return as a volunteer during the school year. If anyone is interested to join Give A Spit as a volunteer, please contact me at giveaspit@gmail.com. I would love to have any volunteers with me during the drives. Your help is greatly needed.
Look at all these donors swab kits/forms!
April
We attended Hoof it for Haiti in Southbury on April 26th. It was drizzling a bit and arrived just before the race began. Although it wasn’t the most successful donor recruitment event, we were given the best table anyone could have; right in the center where everyone could see the table when they walked in. The spotlight for our organization was amazing and taken for granted, thanks to the amazing race coordinator! From this event, I met the race director who raises money from these races to provide support to families in Haiti, still recovering from the earthquake and/or families who need the money support. I was intrigued by the idea of have photo frames with the pictures from past trips to Haiti, instead of keepsake trophies. This race was very inspirational, and I hope Give A Spit may hold a professional race similar to this to raise awareness and profit to Be The Match organization.
Just arrived.
With the Haiti Trip Director!
The following day was the famed Cheshire’s Half Marathon and 5K. We received a table from Bill, the director, and was able to recruit 16 potential donors! I was super proud of this accomplishment, which holds the current record for most donors collected in one day. (I am still planning on breaking this record.) It was a little chilly and I was not able to broadcast the donor opportunity to many people who could haven been potential donors in the race area. There were at least 1,000 attendees to this event, and I was proud Give A Spit was able to make it to this race. It was great to see so many people out and about, running and smiling while enjoying the day with their family members.
The Event
With My Supportive Mom
Runners Can Be Donors
I was sadly not able to attend one other event because it was scheduled at the same time as Hoof it for Haiti.
1. Community Dining Room 11th Walkathon (4/26/2014)
May
There were three events that I missed in May. I was not able to participate in the following three events, but I would love to do so next year.
- Orange CT Chamber Cinco de Miler (5/4/2014) SUNDAY
- New Haven’s 36th Annual Walk Against Hunger (5/4/2014) SUNDAY visit: http://www.ctfoodbank.org/connecticut-food-bank-news-events/special-events/walk-against-hunger
- Hamden Hills Half Marathon & 5K (5/31/2014) SATURDAY
June
There was one event that Give A Spit attended. It was Marrakech’s 5K on June 22nd, 2014. It was two days after my school year ended. It was a beautiful day for running. The race itself was small, an I got an idea of my future fundraiser race would be like. There were about 100 runners at the race, and there was some music and beverages/food for finishers. The atmosphere was local and cheerful and I knew my fundraiser would be pretty similar to this. My mom was not with me the whole time, so I got to man the table. I informed several people there about my efforts in this project and many encouraged me and were happy I was supporting cancer patients. I even met a brother of a cancer survivor, because of Be The Match! I talked to him, and his story was very inspirational. Be The Match has helped his brother live, and he was very supportive to what I’m doing today. This is another reason why I love holding these drives; not just because of the accomplishment of finding potential bone marrow donors, but also I meet these amazing people who have experienced with Be The Match in some way-and the stories are very touching. Although I didn’t collect many forms and swab kits, it was a very inspirational day for me and I got a lot of good out of it.
With My Mom
Marrakech Race
July
There was one race that I managed to get accepted to particpate at. It was located at Milford called the Neon Nightrun which was to benefit the literacy center in Milford. I was truly excited to participate, but was not prepared and came empty handed (no table!). Also the event was planned to start around 8:15pm, meaning by the time the race finishes, it should be around 9pm. I do not have lighting equipment, so I decided GAS won’t be able to make it. Maybe next year?
August
I did not attend the North Branford Potato and Corn Festival, although I would love to have been there. I had personal matters to attend to and GAS was not able to make it to the Fest. I would definitely look into it next year.
Swabber Smile
Interested in volunteering with Give A Spit?
If you are interested in volunteering with Give A Spit, please contact me, Lillian at giveaspit@gmail.com. I would love to have any volunteers for her upcoming bone marrow drives for cancer patients. Please click the Donate/Volunteer page for more info. Event Dates will let you know about the upcoming drives. You do not have to stay within the program, but it is recommended that you do. Give A Spit has had volunteers from nearby colleges such has UNH, SCSU, and Yale. Middle and High School volunteers are welcome as well. I wish to expand this project by having many active volunteers and wishes to hold a fundraiser race to support Be The Match organization, thus supporting bone marrow cancer patients.
Thank you for reading!
Happy Summer and see you when school starts!
Lillian Zhang
Give A Spit 