Zombie Crawl raises $600
What started as a small collection of Honors Association members became an energetic group of students and families who walked 1.2 miles for Katie Tipton, a 28-year old mother diagnosed with a brain tumor while 31 weeks pregnant.
About 30 people coated in fake blood participated in the Oct. 24 event to raise $600 for Tipton and her family. Tipton underwent a C-section Sept. 23 and brain surgery just one week later.
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“I was very pleased with everyone who came that didn’t even know her, but were there anyway,” Cerny said.
For some participants, the night started and ended in strong emotion. Christina Wagner was one of the participants of the night to walk the 1.2 miles around campus.
“I knew it was going to be a long journey for them,” Wagner said, shaking with emotion.
Wagner said she knows Tipton through her mother. She started the “Beating Cancer One Bracelet at a Time” campaign for Tipton immediately after the diagnosis. Bracelets were sold for $5 at the walk, and may still be purchased.
More than 200 bracelets have been sold, and citizens of almost every state and a few foreign countries are following Tipton’s story on Facebook, Wagner said.
About $400 was raised from the walk, and the Honors Association received an additional $900 from sponsors. After the cost of T-shirts and snacks for the walk, they’ll donate about $600 to Tipton’s cause.
Teri Cerny, Abbey Cerny’s mother, teared up once she started talking about Tipton, who used to live across the street from her.
“Katie’s my good friend,” Teri Cerny said. “We miss it.”
The walk with her kids and neighbors was relaxed and full of laughter.
The group’s route on campus took them through Beacom, North Complex and two checkpoints at Old Main and the Wellness Center.
Many of the students who attended the walk live on Abbey Cerny’s floor and were recruited to help. Others just happened to be walking past the group before they started the route, and were convinced to join.
First-year Alex Moberly was invited to the walk on Facebook. She spent about 30 minutes on her zombie appearance, complete with a mutilated face, fake, bloody teeth and a long, green dress. She was given a $50 gift card to the Old Lumber Company for her costume.
“I thought it was a really good cause,” Moberly said. “I love doing zombie makeup.”
Although she was initially worried not many people would dress up, Moberly said she enjoyed participating and seeing other zombie get-ups.
Janet Spangler, along with her husband and “zombie offspring,” won tickets to the Oct. 25 USD football game for their zombie costumes.
Spangler, who donned a full face of makeup, a tutu and leaves in her teased hair, said she came to try something different.
First-year Gabby Metzger handed out punch and candy at Old Main, the first checkpoint. She also helped advertise and buy supplies for the event.
Metzger said she was impressed by the participation and that the zombie theme had a purpose, unlike other similar walks she’s heard of in the past.
“The fact that it’s not just for fun, it’s to actually help someone, is great,” Metzger said.
Cupcakes and punch concluded the walk, along with a Skype call from Tipton since she couldn’t be there. She is headed to Texas this week for more treatment.
Abbey Cerny said Tipton is following the treatment of someone with the same condition who has been fighting the cancer for 10 years.
“You guys are awesome. Thank you so much for doing this for me,” Tipton said during the Skype call. “Just keep me in your thoughts and prayers so that this goes well.”
To donate or stay updated on Tipton’s condition, visit here and here.
(Photo: First-years Deanna Bradshaw, Kristian McDaugale and Ander Geise walk in the Zombie Crawl fundraiser Friday evening. The event raised money for Katie Tipton, a 28-year-old woman who was diagnosed with a brain tumor when she was 31 weeks pregnant. Malachi Petersen / The Volante)
