Hundreds of Trinity students and local Vincentians laced up their running shoes for the second annual Breast Cancer Awareness 5K Walk/Run last week. The activity started outside the entrance of the Arnos Vale Playing field and ended at the Grass Roots Tennis Courts in Kingstown.
Below: Trinity students present check to the St. Vincent Medical Association
After last year’s debut, the whole idea of an event to promote breast cancer awareness in St. Vincent and the Grenadines gained momentum, especially after the members of Trinity’s American Medical Students Association (AMSA) partnered with the local SVG Medical Association. Their effort paid off: this year’s event saw triple the attendance of last year’s inaugural run.
Alyssa Heinrich, fourth term student and president of AMSA, explained, “We teamed up with the SVG Medical Association to plan and coordinate it all. Everyone was very generous in their donations and we really appreciate it.” She and her colleagues expressed delight at the outcome, highlighting that being a medical student while also working so closely with the greater community to pull off the event with such a great cause (breast cancer awareness and support) made the experience worthwhile and incredibly meaningful; a great experience.
Trinity’s AMSA members negotiated sponsorship from the local firm of Coreas Hazells Inc. through its Coreas Pharmacy. This money was used to locally purchase and print event shirts (sold as a package with water bottle and breakfast to participants). The race bibs were printed by the students at Trinity, while the medals were donated by the SVG Medical Association.
This year’s 5k attracted participants from all walks of life, from the commissioner of police to eighteen month old Vivian Smiddy, even receiving a medal as the youngest participant. Receiving a medal as the most senior participant was Elizabeth Jack, mother of Trinity’s assistant dean of students, Dr. Frances Jack. The overall female winners were Taylar Dykstra 1st in 26:00 mins; Araceli Salazar 2nd (27:47 mins); and Emma Daymond coming in 3rd (27:47 mins). Among the men, it was Jamin Graham (20:07 mins); 2nd Wesley Phillips (20:43 mins.); and 3rd Connor Rohrback (21:32 mins).
Dr. Rosalind Ambrose, president of the SVG Medical Association was elated at the turnout. She was impressed with the contingents of officers from the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force and Trinity staffers.
The overall donation raised was $5,000.00 USD, presented to the SVGMA at the day’s conclusion.
Above: The complete podium and award winners.
