April 24, 2012
The St. John’s University Staten Island campus is enthusiastic
about having raised nearly $11,000 for the American Cancer
Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer campaign for
2011-2012. Hundreds of students, staff and administrators
participated in last year’s Making Strides walk on Sunday, October
16, 2011. The Office of Student Health Services subsequently
launched various initiatives throughout the year to increase
student participation and fundraising.
Led by Margaret A. Tierney, RN, Director of Student Health
Services, the Staten Island campus set in motion numerous events to
raise breast cancer awareness and familiarity with the Making
Strides campaign. Programs this past year have included a Making
Every Step Countpedometer challenge where campus office personnel
formed teams to compete to see which could walk the farthest
distance, or who could attain the highest average distance per
contestant. This event had 103 participants from 14 offices. They
not only raised money and awareness but also spurred on team
members to get out and walk — increasing their health/fitness level
while they prepared for the Making Strides walk at Clove Lakes
Park.Other activities initiated by the Staten Island campus
included a charity softball game at Bloomfield Park led by the
brothers of Iota Alpha Sigma Fraternity along with three
sororities. State Senator Andrew Lanza and City Councilman Vincent
Ignizio as well as other borough organizations sponsored the event,
which received coverage in the SI Advance (see http://bit.ly/r9c5nl).
Lifestyles for the Disabled donated a symbolic pink ribbon to
exhibit on campus as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in
October. The organization strives to provide realistic work
experiences within the Staten Island community to the
intellectually hindered. Scott Salinardi, Director of Programs, and
Louis Lopez, a Lifestyles program participant, presented the
three-foot display to the campus community, which gathered to thank
them for the donation. The on-campus events demonstrated the
dedication of both students and staff to support efforts in finding
a cure and fighting back against breast cancer.
In acknowledging the hard work and coordination of all that was
done, Joseph Sciame, Vice President for Community Relations
commented, “As has been the case in recent years, St. John's
University is making a difference in dollars and awareness about
the fight against cancer.”
For more information on Making Strides campaign in Staten Island,
call Margaret A. Tierney, RN, Director of Student Health Services
at (718) 390-4447.