Women’s Law Association holds 3rd annual 5K run for women’s health

On Saturday, March 12, Elon Law's Women's Law Association (WLA) held its third annual Barbara Sullivan Race for Women's Health. Each year, WLA holds this race to raise awareness for issues affecting women's health and to raise money for organizations that fund research for those issues.

Runners prepare for the start of the 2011 WLA race for women’s health

The 5K took place at Northeast Park in Gibsonville, North Carolina.

It is named for the mother of former WLA member Ann Sullivan, who lost her life to a brain tumor. Every year, WLA honors other members of its association and their families by donating all of the proceeds of the race to health issues that have affected them.

This year, the race benefited the fight against breast cancer, honoring Jo Ann Higgins, the grandmother of WLA member Lauren Murphree, who has been diagnosed with the disease in the past.

Law students Matt Krauss, ’12, center, and Brett DeWitt, ’13, third from foreground, lead a group of race participants

The Women’s Law Association spent the weeks before the race distributing information about breast cancer, registering runners, and selling baked goods and t-shirts to raise funds to donate to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

More than 95 people attended the race.

The final amount raised is still being determined, but so far, WLA has raised over $1,500 to support breast cancer research. Prizes were given to the top three male runners, top three female runners, and the first place dog that participated.

Law student Kaylan Gaudio, ’11, crosses the finish line

“I am so happy that WLA has had the amazing opportunity to not only raise money for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation,” said Danielle Kennedy, the chair of the Philanthropy Committee and who was in charge of the organization of the race, “ but also to honor Jo Ann Higgins and her fight.”

 

By Ashley Smith, L’12