HIGH POINT, N.C., May 4, 2012 – Students at High Point University recently celebrated cancer survivors and honored loved ones who have been affected by cancer by hosting the third annual “Relay for Life” event. The event, which aims to increase cancer awareness on campus, raised $21,000 to benefit cancer research and support.
“Participating in relay for life is very important to me as a cancer survivor,” says Jill Dawkins, a rising senior at HPU who was diagnosed with cancer at three years old. “Relay for Life gave my family and me hope for a cure of my cancer that fought me for my life. I was diagnosed with brain cancer when I was three years old. I had a golf ball sized tumor in my brain causing great pressure, leading to me not being able to talk or walk straight.”
Dawkins underwent an 11 hour surgery to remove the tumor and numerous other treatments. The cancer reoccurred when she was eight years old, but she went on to recover again. At HPU, she is majoring in psychology. She says she hopes to be an inspiration for others battling cancer.
“This year at the event, I was blessed with the opportunity to speak as a survivor,” says Dawkins. “I hope and pray for many more survivors to join me in the fight for a cure, the opening lap that says we can, we will, and we did beat cancer.”
Relay for Life is a cancer fundraising event for the American Cancer Society that had raised more than $3 billion for cancer research and awareness in 21 countries.
At High Point University, every student receives an extraordinary education in an inspiring environment with caring people.℠ HPU, located in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina, is a liberal arts institution with over 4,200 undergraduate and graduate students at campuses in High Point and Winston-Salem. It is ranked by US News and World Report at No. 3 among Regional Colleges in the South. Parade Magazine lists HPU in the top 25 private schools in the nation. HPU was selected in the 2010-2011 list of “Colleges of Distinction,” as well as one of the top green schools in the country by the Sierra Club. The university offers 44 undergraduate majors, 40 undergraduate minors and 10 graduate degree programs. It is a member of the NCAA, Division I and the Big South Conference. Visit High Point University on the Web at highpoint.edu.
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Pam Haynes
Communication Specialist
336-841-9055
[email protected]