Royal Purple

Issue date: 4/16/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Photo submitted UW-Whitewater junior Carolyn Schweitzer and her cousin Hailey Jaye Meltz, who was diagnosed with Pediatric Low Grade Astrocytoma when she was just 20 months old.

In order to give back to a member of the UW-Whitewater community and women's athletics, the university is hosting the 5,000-meter walk and run fundraiser event Thursday at the Lawcon Picnic Shelter behind Wells Hall.

The event was inspired by UW-Whitewater junior Carolyn Schweitzer's cousin, Hailey Jaye Meltz. She is a 2-year-old girl who was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor called Pediatric Low Grade Astrocytoma (PLGA) when she was 20 months old. There is no cure for the tumor, and the treatments that do exist are outdated, toxic and ultimately torturous to the thousands of kids affected with the disease.

Brain tumors are the number one cause of cancer death in children and the number two cause of childhood death behind accidents.

The UW-Whitewater American Marketing Association is collaborating with Team Hailey to reach out to others about the awareness of PLGA and their efforts for a cure. AMA's goal is to raise $10,000 for the PLGA Foundation.

The 5,000-meter walk and run event costs $10, which includes the race fee and a t-shirt. Registration for the event will begin at 11:30 a.m., and the race is at noon Thursday. In addition, raffle tickets will be available for $1 each and $5 for six. Prizes available include Warhawk apparel and Target gift cards.

The proceeds from the event will contribute towards two organizations. Half of the proceeds will go to the "Hope for Hailey" fundraising campaign to raise money for research for the PLGA Foundation. The other half is for the UW-Whitewater Women's Sports Foundation, to foster the growth of women's athletics at UW-Whitewater. After the race, the Warhawk women's softball team will host a double header against the UW-Oshkosh Titans at 3 p.m.

UW-Whitewater Assistant Director of Athletics Amy Edmonds said she was thrilled to help out with the event.

"It is exciting to be able to hold an event that provides an opportunity for our university to get the campus community as well as the Whitewater community involved in supporting two wonderful causes," Edmonds said. "People should feel good about giving support by way of their participation for the 'Hope for Hailey' fundraising campaign to raise money for research for the PLGA Foundation."

Schweitzer is the vice president of administrative affairs for AMA, and she was filled with tears when she was told some of the donations would help PLGA.

"When Amy [Edmonds] contacted me and shared with me that half of the proceeds from the run and walk were being donated to the PLGA Foundation, I was overcome with gratitude," Schweitzer said. "It truly amazes me how much others want to help raise money for Hailey and the PLGA Foundation."

Schweitzer said the event will open people's eyes about the severity of brain tumors.

"I want people to realize that there are a lot of kids suffering from PLGA brain tumors," Schweitzer said. "By helping raise money for the foundation, the donors are helping to get research funded and find a cure."

To find out more information about Hailey's fundraiser, go to www.teamhailey.org.

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