Rose Hill Senior and “Team Fire” Raise Money for Cancer Research

Christine Schwall, a Fordham College at Rose Hill senior, has raised $3,390 to date for the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Fordham University. Her fundraising efforts puts her among the “Relay All Star,” volunteers who raise $2,500 or more in donations. Schwall first got involved with Fordham's Relay For Life two years ago when her father, Alan--a New York City firefighter--was diagnosed with Leukemia. Alan Schwall died less than a year after his diagnosis, and Christine's "Team Fire" raises money and walks at the event in her father's memory.

Schwall, a biological sciences major, plans to pursue biochemistry research. The majority of her fundraising has been through personal relationships, and her team's goal this year is to raise $7,000. “Talk to everyone you can,” she said. “It never hurts to reach out to people. You never know who will say ‘yes.’”

Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature activity. Teams of people come together and have fun while raising much-needed funds for the organization, and raise awareness of cancer prevention and treatment. The 4th annual Relay For Life of Fordham University will take place on Rose Hill campus in April 2009. For more information log onto their website at www.fordhamUrelay.com.