Why I'm Fundraising for Relay for Life

Melissa & I with our Love Your Melon gear.

This past year I have become very involved with the Love Your Melon organization. In case you aren't aware, the Love Your Melon Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization run by college students on a mission to put a hat on every child battling cancer in America. For every hat sold, another identical hat is given to a child battling cancer. Through funding from this Buy One – Give One program and donations, the Love Your Melon Foundation provides therapeutic entertainment and comfy hats to children battling cancer during the difficult cancer treatment process.

My good friend, Melissa Miller, who is also from Britt, became really involved when she lived in the twin cities last year. So when she started at UNI this past fall we joined forces. In only 8 months we have accomplished quite a bit. We have established the UNI Love Your Melon Crew as an official student organization on campus, we've been able to recruit 25+ members to join, and we've raised approximately $1,500 in free will donations that will go towards making hats for kids. As a campus crew we also compete against other crews in the United States. So every time someone purchases some type of merchandise from the Love Your Melon website, they’re able to pick a college and give them credit.  At this moment, the UNI Crew ranks 5th out of 150 campus crews in the nation. We have sold 453 hats, which means 453 hats for kids battling cancer.

A little boy getting his Love Your Melon hat.

So how do these 453 hats get distributed? Well our crew is actually having our first give-a-away event on April 10th at the UNI Relay for Life. At the event we’ll be handing out approximately 50 hats to those who are currently affected by cancer and those who have beat it. Our crew will be able to see what all our hard work went for when those battling this horrible disease will be given their hat. It will also be a great way to end my college career. I've worked really hard these past five years to get where I am today, but at the end of the day it’s important to remember those that are in need and to give back.  

Since I am attending Relay for Life I am asking for donations for the event. I’ve set a goal of $100 to raise. I’m asking that everyone who reads this donate $5, but I would appreciate any amount that you’re able to give. Any money you donate will go directly to the American Cancer Society. Their organization helps people take steps to reduce their risk of cancer or find it early, when it is easiest to treat. They provide free information and services to cancer patients throughout their journey. The organization is investing in crucial research to prevent, treat, and ultimately, cure all cancers.

Follow this link to donate to my team: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/WhitneyJohnson

I'm so grateful that I'm able to help those stricken with this horrible disease in multiple ways and I hope you're able to donate to such a wonderful cause. Thank you for all your support.

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The UNI Love Your Melon Crew