Students Raise Over $100K for Cancer Support Organizations

Two events at St. John Fisher College raised more than $100,000 for two organizations that support those affected by cancer.

In February, the annual Teddi Dance for Love, a 24-hour dance marathon that benefits Camp Good Days and Special Times, raised a record-breaking $87,180.42, marking the highest total raised in the event’s 36-year history. Two months later, students spent 12 hours walking laps around the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Athletic Center, raising more than $20,000 for the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge.

“It was a magical 24 hours and being able to see how much we raised at the end was incredible,” said Emily Jeffries ’18, chair of Teddi. “We can’t thank everyone enough for all that they have done to support this year’s dance. This was a team effort and we couldn’t have raised as much as we did without that support. We hope to see everyone next year at the 37th Annual Teddi Dance for Love!”

The Teddi committee also worked with Pantene’s Beautiful Lengths campaign, offering free haircuts and a “before” and “after” reveal on stage for participants willing to donate hair for a good cause. In total, Teddi donated 2,345 inches of hair to the organization.

For Yilmaz Ates, president of Colleges Against Cancer, which organizes Relay, the feeling was much the same. He also credits the he work of the Relay team, along with more than 20 student groups who hosted games and activities during the event, for their success this year.

“I had an amazing team of executive board members and chairs. They worked extremely hard and there is no way that we could have raised the amount we did without their diligence and dedication,” he said. “I was extremely humbled to lead such a powerful and meaningful event, it was truly touching for many. The speakers that we had were phenomenal and captured what the event really means with the ceremonies Celebrate, Remember, and Fight Back.”