A flurry of red and white paced across Magnolia Hall's lawn at 9 a.m. on Saturday, September 20, as the Alpha Omicron Pi Delta Delta Chapter rallied up runners for their 14th annual Run for Roses 5K race.
Avery Anthony, sophomore in pre-nursing, Alpha Omicron Pi member, spoke to the racers about her passion for arthritis research before the race by telling them her personal testimony.
She realized that she had arthritis in high school after experiencing intense pain while playing field hockey.
"I had to go to some pretty intense doctors and get some cartilage injections in my hip to postpone the arthritis a little bit and make my day-to-day a little more comfortable," Anthony explained.
Though she experienced arthritis first-hand, Anthony wasn't not the only participant affected by the condition.
Mia Panado, freshman in global studies, was indirectly influence by arthritis through a family member.
"My mom has it in her right arm--her wrist--and she had to have surgery," Panado said. "Now she cant really use her right hand."
The registration charge for Run for Roses allowed students to contribute to the Arthritis Foundation's arthritis research while also being able to enjoy a fun and active event.
The racers sprung to action as the air horn blew at 9 a.m. and the remaining crowd waited in anticipation for the first runner to cross the line. Both the female and male first place winners received an iPad mini.
Kurt Ward, first year master's student in the kinesiology program, was the very first person to finish the race. He explained that he usually participates in races competitively, and when his student mentioned that her sorority was hosting the 5K, he decided to support the philanthropy.
"I got out there and I actually felt pretty good," Ward said. "It was a good workout and a good time."
To most, 5K races are the best way to bring people together to make a positive impact, just as Red for Roses did.
"Event's like these just raise awareness and getting people out to support it," Anthony remarked. "And giving money to the Arthritis Foundation, to me, means a lot."
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