Fund-raising Archive
Senior Project Raises $2,751 for Lupus Research
The senior project requirement is a monkey on the back of every high school senior. But 17-year-old Kayci Lebak of North Hills High School, the youngest of three children, was inspired to one-up her older brother and sister by pulling off a project that would muster more than a letter grade.
On Sept. 22, 2007, Kayci rallied her community and launched Laps for Lupus, a charity walk to raise money for research at the Lupus Center of Excellence (LUCE). Kayci's aunt, Carla Purvis of Hummelstown, Pa., suffered from mysterious symptoms of the disease for nine years before being diagnosed in 2003. "Lupus has affected my family," Kayci says. "That's why I wanted to do this."
She set out to raise $500, dedicating countless hours to organizing the walk and soliciting support from local residents and businesses. Some 70 walkers turned out at Martorelli Stadium and, coupled with a steady flood of donations, raised $2,751, far exceeding Kayci's goal.
"The support was overwhelming," says Kayci, who has seen the hours she spent hand-writing letters and distributing fliers pay off. "I never thought I would get this kind of response."
Although Kayci will graduate in spring 2008, she plans to perpetuate Laps for Lupus by passing it down to North Hills underclassmen for future senior projects. As for her own future, Kayci plans to study business in college and someday land a career in health care administration.
"Everyone thinks that senior project is such a pain,"says Kayci, who spent her Columbus Day holiday from school delivering the bulky check to Susan Manzi, MD, LUCE co-director. "But I feel good about mine because it helped others."
Cutting to the Chase — For a Cure
Tiffany Donor, a patient at the Lupus Center of Excellence, and her colleagues at Holiday Hair salon in Edinboro, Pa., rose to the challenge this past August when they held a cut-a-thon, bake sale, and Chinese auction to raise $340 for research at the Center.
Fashions Grab Spotlight at Fund-raiser
More than 300 guests enjoyed spring fashions by Carabella of Oakmont at spring 2007's Haute Tropics fashion show and helped to raise more than $16,000 for LUCE. The event featured spring fashions by New York-based designer Yansi Fugel, WTAE-TV's Sally Wiggin as emcee, and surprise gifts donated by local businesses.
Hannah's Butterflies
In perhaps the most touching of fund-raisers, 6-year-old Hannah Syglowski of Hampton handcrafted cloth butterflies and sold her creations in honor of her mother, Allyson, who has lupus. By donating her $70 proceeds to the center, Hannah also raised awareness about how family members -- often children -- are affected by chronic illness. Her inspirational letter is framed in the LUCE waiting room.
Line-Dancing for Lupus
Kelly Summer, daughter of Lupus Center of Excellence patient Susan Summers, organized Summer Time Oldies Dances in 2006 and 2007, raising $1,500 for research at the Center and drawing matching donations from the Beaver Area Jaycees.
Support for Susan from lifelong friends set the backdrop for evenings of twists, swirls, slides, and line dancing at firehouses in Beaver, located southwest of Pittsburgh. Center physicians Amy Kao, MD, MPH, and Jennifer Elliott, MD, cut the rug with Donna Hope, LPN, clinic coordinator, and Margie Ruffing, clinical research coordinator. "These were no ordinary events," says Dr. Kao. "They were very special nights, the products of love, hard work, and creativity."
Details about the Summer Family's 2008 fund-raiser will be posted on this website as soon as they become available. Battle Of The Bands
The Delta Tau Delta fraternity and the Delta Delta Delta sorority at the University of Pittsburgh combined their efforts to organize a Battle of the Bands competition in March 2006. The competition featured several Pittsburgh-based bands covering a broad musical spectrum. The bands were evaluated by a panel of judges that examined stage presence, crowd reaction, quality of music, and originality. The competition increased lupus awareness within the student community and raised $1,050, all of which was donated to the Lupus Center of Excellence.
Time Out Benefit
The Foundation for the Lupus Center of Excellence held its inaugural fundraising event in November 2005. Allyson and Scott Sylgowski were recognized for their major fund-raising efforts, while patient Juliette Hale was commended for her immeasurable lupus outreach activities. The benefit raised roughly $30,000.
Home Interiors
Susie Heaton, a Lupus Patient and Home Interiors Sales Consultant, recently set up shop in the lobbies of the Biomedical Science Tower and Magee-Womens Hospital. To date, Susie has donated more than $1,500 of her profits from event sales to the Lupus Center of Excellence.
Pierogies for Sale
Allyson and Scott Syglowski, along with other family members, prepared and sold more than 200 dozen homemade pierogies, raising more than $3,200 for the Lupus Center of Excellence. Jennifer Manners, Stefani Jazudek, and fellow employees at Washington Mutual in Bethel Park, held their own fund-raising event in honor of Allyson, who is a good friend. The event raised $1,015.
Greensburg Salem Check
Two senior advanced placement biology classes at Greensburg Salem Senior High School, under the instruction of teacher Julie Firmstone, competed in a fund-raising event for the Lupus Center. The two classes competed to raise the most money by contributing loose change. In total, the two classes raised $423.98.
Lupus Awareness Day
Magee-Womens Hospital staff participated in the second annual Lupus Awareness Day in May 2005. By donating $5, staff members were permitted to wear blue jeans to work. Other staff members participated by purchasing butterfly pins. All proceeds benefit continuing lupus research.
Lupus Poker Run
In September 2003, Friends of the Lupus Center of Excellence, together with Lynne Welshons, organized the first Lupus Poker Run "Ride for the Cure." Approximately 40 motorcyclists began their journey in Latrobe and continued their 100-mile ride through the scenic Laurel Highlands. Event proceeds went tocontinued research and education in lupus awareness.
Spaghetti Dinner
Seneca Valley High School students Lindsey Barbati and Stephanie Curtis, who had attended the Lupus Awareness program, organized a fund-raiser to benefit the Lupus Center of Excellence. Lindsey and Stephanie are members of a volunteer group called Friends, which hosts an annual spaghetti dinner to benefit local charities. In April 2003, approximately 100 people attended the dinner, and proceeds were donated to support the Lupus Center of Excellence.
"The future of lupus patients is a cause worthy of our most generous contributions. The benefits of taking giant steps to find a cure are priceless to all," said fellow Seneca Valley student Lindsay Gorman.
Contact Information
Email luceinfo@pitt.edu or call 412-641-3331 for more information on how you can make a difference.
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