April 9, 2006
Auburn, Ala. - For the second straight year the Auburn swimming and diving team hosted a successful "Laps for CF" swim-a-thon at the James E. Martin Aquatics Center to help raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. With the help of Birmingham, Ala., native Emily Schreiber and AU fraternities and sororities, the Tiger team was able to raise more than $250,000 for cystic fibrosis.
"This was a great culmination to a terrific week of festivities," Auburn head coach David Marsh said. "Rolling Toomer's Corner and visiting the White House were two wonderful experiences, but this was special because it helped a great cause."
The Laps for CF Foundation raises money in an attempt to fight Cystic Fibrosis, help those with Cystic Fibrosis and raise awareness of Cystic Fibrosis.
"I want to thank Auburn's fraternities and sororities for coming out and supporting our efforts. A special thanks goes out to coach Pat Dye for speaking to the Auburn faithful that were in attendance. We look forward to continually hosting the biggest and best cystic fibrosis fundraiser in the country," Marsh said.
The money raised is given to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to find a cure, to CF Hope for Alabama to help those infected with CF who are in need and the Children's Health Clinic to improve the facilities and equipment used to fight Cystic Fibrosis.
This year Schreiber, who began swimming when she was eight with the Birmingham Swim League, put together a remarkable 100-lap swim to help raise money for her cause. When Schreiber was in fourth grade she was diagnosed with CF and after the diagnosis she read a Baby Sitter's Club book called Karen's Bike. In this book, Karen raised money for her local hospital, and Emily decided to do the same for Cystic Fibrosis.
The first year Emily swam at Wald Park in Vestavia, Ala., and raised over $60,000. The next year she swam again in Wald Park and earned over $90,000. In 2005, Emily swam with the Auburn team and together they raised over $220,000.
Other activities on Saturday included a float race by the fraternities and sororities, senior swimmers relay's, an AU diving exhibition and speeches from Auburn athletics director Jay Jacobs and former Tiger football coach Pat Dye.
The University of Alabama will host a similar Swim-a-Thon on April 22 at 1:00. For more information on "Laps for CF" please visit the organizations official web site at www.lapsforcf.org.