The Marietta College Chemistry Club recently raised $900 for the MOV Gift of Life Foundation through its ninth annual Fluorine Mole Day 6k.
The MOV Gift of Life Foundation was formed in 2017 by a group of local transplant recipients, living donors, candidates awaiting life-saving transplants, and people who care deeply about the cause. Among those people is Michelle Jeitler, race co-director and Marietta College professor, who lost a childhood friend to liver disease while awaiting a transplant.
For this reason, the Chemistry Club chose to join the Gift of Life in its mission to educate the community about the need for organ and tissue donors, and to raise funds to assist local transplant recipients, living donors, and candidates with travel and prescription medication costs associated with transplants. The Foundation currently assists 13 Ohio counties and 9 West Virginia counties.
Traditionally, the race raised funds to establish the Bob Walker Prize in Biochemistry — awarded to the top graduating biochemistry major. After an anonymous donor gave the remaining $14,000 to fully endow the fund last year, the club had the freedom to choose an organization they wanted to benefit.
This year 50 participants registered and 43 completed the race, which also receives strong support from local businesses to help provide T-shirts and awards. Businesses and organizations that made a donation included the Marietta College Student Government Association; Bodies in Motion Chiropractic and Wellness; Peoples Bank; Franklin Fire; Christopher Linscott, DDS; Terry Coffman, State Farm Insurance; Serenity Now Hair Salon; Lure Tattoo and Piercing; Little Black Dress; ThriveFitt; and Ohio Valley Veterinary Hospital.
For more information on the MOV Gift of Life Foundation, visit www.movgiftoflife.com.