STORY BY CORIE LYNN
PHOTOS BY LARAMIE MOYER
As the fall semester begins at Fort Hays State University, so does First 40 Days: a time where each day is filled with events from any number of organizations around the university. These events provide students, freshmen and upperclassmen alike, with the opportunity to get involved in activities on campus.
As students passed through the Quad from 12 until 2 PM on August 29, they saw a table set up by Stripes for Hope with t-shirts ready to be tie-dyed as a part of the First 40 Days. This particular event was also a fundraiser for the group.
“Our purpose is to create awareness and raise money for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and for childhood cancer,” said Stripes for Hope executive board member Marisa Carman.
For five dollars, students could tie-dye one of the organization’s “Cancer Sucks” t-shirts with the proceeds going to St. Jude’s.
Though this fundraiser isn’t as large as other First 40 Days events, such as the Back to School Picnic, it has drawn in students each of the three years that it has been held.
“Usually we have a good turnout. People like to tie-dye,” said Carman.
tie-dying is my favorite thing,” said FHSU junior, Brooklen Skipton, “So anytime there’s tie-dying I always have to come early and be the first one to get everything because I always use all the dye.”
Even as Skipton and other students gathered around the table to enjoy each other’s company and the craft project, they knew that they, as well as the “Cancer Sucks” shirts, would be part of a larger purpose. The true reason that Stripes for Hope gathered at the Quad was for cancer research and awareness.
This event was one of several that the group will be holding throughout the year at Fort Hays. The upcoming events will continue to benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and attract the attention of students interested in the mission of the hospital. Students like senior Estella Schumacher attended knowing that their money would go towards cancer research.
“I would say that I’m passionate about cancer research in general,” said Schumacher, “Not necessarily just for children and St. Jude’s.”
Though it was Shumacher’s first time attending the yearly event, she said she would likely come back next year if the tie-dye event is held again.
For students like Schumacher who are already looking forward to next year’s tie-dye, Stripes for Hope will have more events in the meantime. Fast approaching is their next fundraiser on September 10, the “No More Cancer Rally”, with the proceeds continuing to go to St. Jude’s.
With the semester only just beginning, so is the work to be done by Stripes for Hope as they seek to help child cancer patients in any way they can.
