This year’s Race for the Summitt at UTHSC raised more then $8,000 for The Pat Summitt Foundation, which is dedicated to winning the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.
The American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) chapter at UTHSC’s College of Pharmacy hosted the race.
“The second annual Race for the Summitt was a huge success,” said Jennifer Reed, Race for the Summitt committee chair. Reed is a PharmD candidate, class of 2015, and APhA-ASP historian.
“The amount raised for The Pat Summitt Foundation was $3,000 more than the amount raised during the inaugural race last year,” Reed said. “We also saw an increase in the number of participants in the race, including an increase in UTHSC campus participation.”
The 4-miler on March 22, registered 284 runners, and 231 of those participated. The early morning started out rainy, but by the time runners and walkers arrived, the drizzle had stopped. The sun came out when the race got under way, and it was a gorgeous day to run for a great cause.
Race for the Summitt is also scheduled in Knoxville on Saturday, November 8. “We are very excited to bring the race to Coach Summitt’s backyard,” Reed said.
Pat Summitt was the head coach of the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball team and is now head coach emeritus. In August 2011, she revealed she was diagnosed with early onset dementia, Alzheimer’s type. The Pat Summitt Foundation was established in November 2011.
Besides raising money, the race allows student pharmacists to educate the public about Alzheimer’s and about the vital role pharmacists play in caring for those suffering from the disease.