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Nursing Heroes 5 K to benefit Abernethy, Boyle families

3 min read
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Waynesburg University RN to BSN students are holding a Nursing Heroes Benefit 5K Run/Walk to benefit two nursing students who were injured while assisting at an accident scene earlier this year.

The race will take place Saturday, May 19 at Waynesburg University’s Southpointe Center beginning at 9 a.m. Registration is $20 before May 15 or $25 the day of the race. There will also be a Kids Fun Run (one mile) for $10 before May 15 and $15 the day of the race. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. the day of the race.

This year’s Nursing Heroes Benefit 5K Run/Walk was organized to support the medical costs of two Waynesburg University senior nursing students critically injured while assisting a motorist on Interstate 79S in February.

Cami Abernethy and Alissa Boyle, along with seven classmates and a professor, stopped at the scene of a motor vehicle accident in Perry Township during their commute to Morgantown, W. Va., for clinical nursing studies.

After pulling a stranger out of his vehicle through a hole in the windshield, the nursing students were assessing his medical condition when an oncoming tractor-trailer came barreling toward them. The students quickly realized the tractor-trailer would be unable to stop, but as a result of the darkness, they did not realize they were on a bridge.

In the seconds that followed, they fled for safety. Some ran for their lives while others jumped over the cement barrier of the bridge, thinking they would land safely on the other side. Abernathy and Boyle were seriously injured when they fell 40 to 50 feet to the ground below. The seven other students and their professor administered medical care to the injured until paramedics arrived.

“The noble acts of these students and their professor fill me with great pride and hope for the future, as our nurses-in-training demonstrated an admirable dedication to their calling before even entering their field as professionals,” said Waynesburg University President Timothy R. Thyreen.

According to Miranda Chapman, race coordinator and RN to BSN Program Coordinator, the nursing program seniors are a close-knit group of students and as a result, they were passionate about taking the lead in coordinating the fundraising efforts to garner support for the Abernethy and Boyle families.

“It comes as no surprise that our students acted in this way and want to continue to help by starting the fund to support the families,” said Dr. Nancy Mosser, chair of the Department of Nursing at Waynesburg University. “Our nursing students are caretakers in the truest sense of the word, and their goal is to ensure that Cami and Alissa continue receiving the best care possible.”

To register for the Nursing Heroes Benefit 5K Run/Walk before the event, visit www.waynesburg.edu. For additional information, contact Miranda Chapman at mchapman@waynesburg.edu.

The university is also accepting donations on behalf of the Abernethy and Boyle families. Checks should be made payable to Waynesburg University with “Cami and Alissa Fund” written in the memo section. All donations should be sent to Waynesburg University’s Business Office, 51 W. College Street, Waynesburg, Pa. 15370.

 

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