Eight M.D. students from the UCF College of Medicine recently participated in the First Annual Barefoot Fun Run that raised $4,225 for the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Orlando.
Students Dennrik Abrahan, Mabel Avilas, Steven Bright, Tiffany Chen, Ashley Curry, Sara Danker, Bryant Lambe and Luke Lin participated as “Team Ginel,” in honor of a 20-year-old leukemia patient that several students rescued in Haiti last summer and brought to M.D. Anderson for treatment.
“We raised over $200 for M.D. Anderson,” said Luke, one of three students who found Ginel while providing care to Haitian residents victimized by a massive earthquake.
More than 140 runners and walkers participated in the 5K and 3K race at Sanlando Park in Altamonte Springs.
Running without shoes may seem crazy, but event organizers say running barefoot or with minimalist footwear and adjusting your running style to the mid- or forefoot reduces stress on the joints and can lead to better balance, foot strength and posture.
And the College of Medicine runners were more than happy to oblige to raise money for cancer.