This document discusses an upcoming VT Relay event that is raising money to find a cure for cancer. It asks the recipient to donate $8 today to help pass their $400,000 fundraising goal. It shares stories of hope from current and former Hokies who have battled cancer, including Jessica Mackenzie, President Paul Torgersen, Carter Niehoff, and Blair Horth, and provides links to donate in their honor or memory. The purpose is to encourage donations over the final 4 days of the relay to work towards creating a world without cancer.

1. Dear Allison,
We are 4 days away from VT Relay!! I need YOU to raise $8 TODAY! If each of
our 5,210 relayers raises $8, we will pass $400,000!! Together, I am determined
we can find a cure, but we can’t do it without YOUR help. Every dollar raised
saves lives and creates HOPE. Check out these stories of HOPE from Hokies.
H
Jessica Mackenzie tested positive for the
CDH1 mutation at the age of nineteen.
After doctors discovered malignant cells in
her stomach, she underwent a total
gastrectomy on November 8th, 2012, at
the beginning of what should have been
her junior year at Virginia Tech. Since
then, she’s undergone five other surgeries
due to intestinal complications. Three of
them, including a two-foot small bowel
resection, have taken place during this
semester. She knows what it’s like to be
chronically ill at an age known for
recklessness, and how cancer can affect
more than just physical bodies. But
despite all this, she maintains a positive outlook, is still set to graduate in
May, and is looking forward to starting a new chapter of her life.
Donate in her honor

2. O
Past university president Paul
Torgersen passed away on March 29th,
2015 at the age of 83, but not without an
incredible legacy left behind at Virginia
Tech. Torgersen came to the university
in 1967 as a professor and the head of
the Department of Industrial and
Systems Engineering. He was later
named the dean of the College of
Engineering and served as the 14th
president of the university until 2000 when he retired. During his presidency, the
university made major strides in both academics and athletics. He taught for 58
straight years, including throughout his presidency, and gave his last lecture in
May of 2014. Torgersen battled with throat cancer, but was pronounced
cancer free at the age of 77. His impact on the Virginia Tech community will
never be forgotten, and we thank President Torgersen for his commitment and
passion for the university.
Dedicate a luminaria in his honor
P
Carter Niehoff is a sophomore at Virginia Tech
pursuing a degree in Chemical Engineering. Outside
the classroom, he serves on committee for Relay for
Life and serves as the internal philanthropy chair for
his fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha. Carter is driven by
the bravery and courage displayed by those close
to him who have battled cancer. He proudly relays
for his mother Lori, his uncle Mark, and his aunt Jill
who all beat various forms of cancer, however he
knows that the fight isn’t over. Carter has been a
witness to the detrimental effects of cancer and hopes
to one day see a world where no person has to
experience this dreadful disease.
Donate to Carter's page

3. E
Blair Horth is a junior at Virginia Tech working
on a degree in Business Management. She is a
sister of Alpha Chi Omega, a Hokie Ambassador,
and an Orientation Leader for this upcoming
summer. She relays for her mother who was
diagnosed with Stage 2 Triple Negative
Breast Cancer this past May. Blair knew this
news wasn't the be all end all, but it still was a
huge shock to her family and friends. It was hard
to accept the fact that her biggest inspiration and
greatest motivator would be going through the
struggles of being a cancer patient. The good
news is that her mom is now in remission and had very minor setbacks
through the treatment process. Blair's mom had the greatest support system and
she thinks that is what helped so much. Now with regular, good news checkups,
her mom is celebrating many more birthdays!
Donate to Blair's page
These last 4 days, please continue to share your own fundraising link:
http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=64089&px=27045024&pg=personal
Thank you for helping us make the world cancer free!