Alabama Swimming and Diving to Host Cystic Fibrosis Fund Raiser
4/21/2006 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
BIRMINGHAM, AL ?? Looking at her, a seemingly normal 13-year-old, you wouldn't know that she's won countless swim awards; that she has handfuls of devoted college friends; that she holds an honorary Alabama state treasury position; that she's had two features in Sports Illustrated, or that she is responsible for raising almost $370,000 in three years for Cystic Fibrosis (CF) research. But mostly what you wouldn't know from looking at Emily Schreiber of Mountain Brook is that she herself has the same disease for which she works each year to raise both awareness and money to find a cure.
Emily was diagnosed with CF in January of 2003 at age nine. Although a surprise to her and her family, she confronted her condition with determination and resolve, putting together her first CF fundraising event, dubbed Laps for CF, only a mere six weeks after her diagnosis. An avid swimmer for years, Emily's idea for the fundraiser focused on individuals pledging dollar amounts for each lap she could swim ?? an idea she got from a book she'd read shortly before she learned of her CF.
Now in its fourth year, Emily's Laps for CF fundraiser has earned her quite a bit of popularity, even a spotlight in a 2005 edition of Sports Illustrated and more recently a feature article in the February 2006 Sports Illustrated for Kids magazine. "I was featured in Sports Illustrated's ??Faces in the Crowd' and after that, someone contacted my dad to tell him they wanted me for the Sports Illustrated for Kids ??Athletes of the Year' edition," says Emily.
Looking at her amount of accomplishments in such a short time, you can't blame them for giving her the title.
Emily's initial Laps for CF goal in 2003 was $3,000...she ended up with almost $70,000 that year alone. The following year, Emily and Laps for CF raised $85,000. Then in April of 2005, Emily swam 100 laps and raised an impressive $212,000, this time she had a little from the Auburn Swim Team.
This year, Emily is doing two swims, one has already come and gone, when she dove in down on the Plains of Auburn on April 8 and the second is this Saturday (April 22) at The University of Alabama Swimming and Diving's Don Gambril Olympic Pool. The Crimson Tide men and women's teams and head coach Eric McIlquham have joined in Emily's fundraiser this year, hosting a Laps for CF event at the Alabama Aquatics Center in Tuscaloosa. In addition to Emily's swim, there will be a diving exhibition, fun relay races and a live band and lunch from Outback Steakhouse. Cost for admission to the event is $5 at the door.
To have the backing of the state's two most prominent colleges is something dreams are made of for Emily.
"Having both Auburn and Alabama involved now is kind of incredible, considering this started with a goal of only $3,000 four years ago," says Emily. "I do know that all the Alabama fans who have pledged before will be happy...last year, my Auburn pledge cards would have little messages on them like, ??why don't you do this at ??Bama?', so I am sure there will be a few more happy supporters out there this year."
Whether those supporters wear crimson and white or orange and blue, Emily ?? who celebrated her 13th birthday February 17th - hopes to raise $250,000 in 2006. Emily's ultimate goal for Laps for CF is to raise enough money so that all the years of fundraising reach a combined $1 million. Approaching the $400,000 mark in just her first three years of fundraising alone, it's safe to say she's well on her way.
To donate to Laps for CF, visit www.lapsforcf.org or contact Heather Redding, Laps for CF Director, at 205.939.9675.
FACTS ON ALABAMA LAPS FOR CF FUNDRAISER
WHERE: University of Alabama Aquatic Center
415 Paul W. Bryant Drive
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487
WHEN: Saturday, April 22nd, 2006
Event begins at 1:00 PM
Lunch and entertainment follow from 2:00 PM till 4 PM
PARTICIPANTS: Emily Schreiber
University of Alabama Swimming and Diving Team
University of Alabama Swimming and Diving Coaching Staff
EVENT CONTACT/
NUMBER: Heather Redding, Laps for CF Director
205.447.2141 (cell)
205.939.9675 (office)
INTERESTED DONORS: Please call Heather Redding, Laps for CF Director
205.447.2141 (cell)
205.939.9675 (office)
OR log onto www.lapsforcf.org
