Annual Laps for CF Event a Big Success
4/23/2008 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
April 18, 2008
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - More than 500 people were on hand Friday for the third annual University of Alabama-based "Laps for CF" event, supporting Emily Schreiber and her cause at the Alabama Aquatic Center.
The crowd rose to its feet cheering as Schreiber, 15, swam the last of her 100 laps for this leg of her "Laps for CF" initiative which raises money and awareness for the fight against cystic fibrosis. The crowd also enjoyed swimming and diving exhibitions by the Crimson Tide varsity.
"This is a great way for us to finish out our season," Alabama head coach Eric McIlquham said. "To come in here after the NCAA Championships and take part in such a great event and have our kids help make a difference in the community is a big plus. And I think for Emily this serves as a celebration of a year's worth of work. She is such a tremendous young lady and we're grateful to play a small part in her efforts."
After the aquatic-based part of the event was over, the crowd moved outside to enjoy great weather, a meal from Outback Steakhouse and music by "The Negotiators".
Schreiber was diagnosed with CF in January of 2003 at age nine. She confronted her condition with determination and resolve, putting together her first CF fund-raising event, dubbed "Laps for CF", only six weeks after her diagnosis. An avid swimmer for years, her idea for the fundraiser focused on individuals pledging dollar amounts for each lap she would swim.
Since 2003, Schreiber and the Laps for CF Foundation have raised $1.3 million, which is donated to the CF Foundation, CF Hope and the Children's Hospital of Birmingham.
Schreiber's Laps for CF event has grown from swimming in a small community pool in Birmingham to gaining the support of the state's two most prominent colleges, The University of Alabama and Auburn University, and, more recently, partnering with The Boomer Esiason Foundation and BioGuard to conduct nationwide swims.
