Haley Gaston-Enholm, 4th year

Two years ago, led by the efforts of Neil Holby, Lane Holby and former Delti Chi chapter President Courtney Schaeffer, over 80 runners laced up for the first Every Yard for Yeardley Race in the Richmond Marathon. This race raised money for the One Love Foundation, a cause near and dear to the hearts of every Theta at UVa as Yeardley was a sister and close friend to us all. This November, several Thetas will sport their One Love t-shirts once more and return to Richmond for the race. This year, however, our efforts will be directed not only toward the One Love Foundation, but will include an additional cause.

Raleigh Hazel, a fourth year at UVA and friend of many in Theta, is leading a fundraising effort close to his heart. In September of 2007, Raleigh’s older sister, Caroline, suffered a serious accident and spinal cord injury in only the first few weeks of attending Sewanee, The University of the South. Ten days later, she was transferred to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, GA. The Shepherd Center holds a world-renowned reputation for assisting those with spinal cord injuries, Multiple Sclerosis and other brain injuries. In honor of his sister, Raleigh will be running the Richmond Marathon on November 10 with hopes to raise money for both the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, as well as the One Love Foundation. His goal is to raise half a million dollars by his graduation day this spring.

Raleigh, a native of Fredericksburg, Virginia, has been training for four months to run in Richmond and is hoping, if his time qualifies, to run in the Boston Marathon in April. “I’ve always liked running,” Raleigh says, “but I never thought it would really take me anywhere. I feel obligated at this moment in my life, as long as I feel as strong as I feel, to do something bigger than myself. As horrible as the events of Yeardley’s murder and Caroline’s accident were, I now recognize that they are a part of me. I hope to unite as many people as I can for this noble cause.”

Many Thetas will be joining Raleigh on November 10, including Alice Billmire, Laura Lebow and myself. As always, the sisters of the Delta Chi chapter are passionate in the effort to raise money for One Love in memory of Yeardley and this year are even more motivated to support their friend Raleigh and the efforts of the Shepherd Center. We hope to see many fellow Thetas in Richmond on November 10th for the marathon, half-marathon or 8K run. In Raleigh’s words, “I run for those who cannot, for those who are no longer with us, and I run because I can. It is a great way to celebrate life. I run in the honor of two beautiful girls. Caroline was and still is an athlete at heart. Yeardley is an athlete who will remain in our hearts forever.”

For more information about Raleigh’s Run, or to donate to his cause, click here to visit his website.