The
St. John’s University Staten Island campus is enthusiastic about
having raised nearly $11,000 for the American Cancer Society’s
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer campaign for 2011-2012.
Hundreds of students, staff and administrators participated in last
year’s Making Strides walk on Sunday, October 16, 2011. The Office
of Student Health Services subsequently launched various
initiatives throughout the year to increase student participation
and fundraising.
Led by Margaret A. Tierney, RN, Director of Student Health
Services, the Staten Island campus set in motion numerous events to
raise breast cancer awareness and familiarity with the Making
Strides campaign. Programs this past year have included a Making
Every Step Countpedometer challenge where campus office personnel
formed teams to compete to see which could walk the farthest
distance, or who could attain the highest average distance per
contestant. This event had 103 participants from 14 offices. They
not only raised money and awareness but also spurred on team
members to get out and walk — increasing their health/fitness level
while they prepared for the Making Strides walk at Clove Lakes
Park.Other activities initiated by the Staten Island campus
included a charity softball game at Bloomfield Park led by the
brothers of Iota Alpha Sigma Fraternity along with three
sororities. State Senator Andrew Lanza and City Councilman Vincent
Ignizio as well as other borough organizations sponsored the event,
which received coverage in the SI Advance (see http://bit.ly/r9c5nl).
Lifestyles
for the Disabled donated a symbolic pink ribbon to exhibit on
campus as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. The
organization strives to provide realistic work experiences within
the Staten Island community to the intellectually hindered. Scott
Salinardi, Director of Programs, and Louis Lopez, aLifestyles
program participant, presented the three-foot display to the campus
community, which gathered to thank them for the donation. The
on-campus events demonstrated the dedication of both students and
staff to support efforts in finding a cure and fighting back
against breast cancer.
In acknowledging the hard work and coordination of all that was
done, Joseph Sciame, Vice President for Community Relations
commented, “As has been the case in recent years, St. John's
University is making a difference in dollars and awareness about
the fight against cancer.”
For more information on Making Strides campaign in Staten Island,
call Margaret A. Tierney, RN, Director of Student Health Services
at (718) 390-4447.