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Sports Careers Students Host `Red Out' Fundraiser to Promote Heart Health Awareness

Ferris State UniversityFans of Ferris State University athletics and the Big Rapids community are encouraged to wear red with their wardrobe choices, and visit the Ewigleben Sports Complex Saturday, Feb. 18. The Sports Careers registered student organization will hold its third annual “Red Out” fundraiser and heart health awareness campaign that day.

Cierra Buckner, a senior from Detroit, and coordinator of the Red Out event, said they will have volunteers offering a fundraising contest and distributing heart health information to those who visit their table before and during the women’s and men’s basketball games against Michigan Tech University, that afternoon at 1 and 3 p.m., respectively, and the Bulldog hockey game against the University of Alaska-Anchorage that evening, at 7:07 p.m.

“My mother has a heart condition and this promotion gives me pause to consider the risk factors and subtle cues that someone may need to review or address with their healthcare provider,” Buckner said. “We are glad to support the Spectrum Health Big Rapids Hospital Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Unit with their needs in serving the public.”

Alex Freeman, a senior from Greenville, Mich., and member of the Sports Careers student organization, said in the first two years, they raised approximately $600 in each of the campaigns.

“We now have a hopeful goal of $2,500 to $4,000 for this year’s event,” Freeman said. “If we can accomplish this, there’s an opportunity to provide the Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Unit with a treadmill for its patient assessment and treatment.”

Fans attending the Ferris men’s and women’s basketball games, as well as the hockey game, Feb. 18, are encouraged to wear red, in support of February’s month-long, federally-designated Heart Health Awareness Month campaign.


PHOTO CAPTION: Members of the Sports Careers registered student organization hold their “Red Out” Fundraiser to support Spectrum Health-Big Rapids Hospital’s Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Unit Saturday, Feb. 18. This is their third annual effort to promote heart health awareness and raise funds for such programs in the area.