Swimming and Diving Team Makes an Impact at Relay for Life Event

The South Carolina swimming and diving team continues to make a difference outside of the pool. The Gamecocks recently participated in the annual Relay for Life on campus, which benefits the American Cancer Society, and the team raised the bar in its annual fundraising.

“We fundraise throughout the year, and the event is the culmination of everyone’s hard work,” said senior swimmer Jenna Pehowski, who is studying computer science. “We celebrate or remember the lives of people who have fought or won a battle with cancer.

“Our goal this year was to raise $10,000. I knew that was a hefty goal. Our total number was $11,141. This was the most we ever raised. All of that money goes directly to the American Cancer Society. Our team was recognized for raising over $10,000. We were the only team, other than the executive leadership team, to raise over $10,000. Knowing that we did something that helped all those cancer patients was an unreal feeling!”

The event was held April 9 on the field beside the Blatt Physical Education Center on campus and raised $83,058 overall.

“We can all find a personal connection behind it and do a good thing for this cause.”

“It’s a cool event because it’s super-personal to me and a lot of my teammates,” Pehowski said. “Our entire team was signed up for it. I think we have around 70 people on the team.

“We participate every year because we have a lot of personal experience with cancer in our lives. My grandfather lost a fight to cancer, and I know I’m not the only one on the team who has lost a loved one. So, it’s an event where we can all find a personal connection behind it and do a good thing for this cause.”

With all the challenges in the last year due to the COVID pandemic, the Gamecocks were proud that their efforts came with such positive results.

“I was stunned,” Pehowski said. “When COVID was at its peak, we struggled. A lot of people’s financial lives were difficult, but our team was very proactive in fundraising. I’m just happy it happened. Before COVID, I felt more comfortable in asking people for donations. So, that was a struggle we had this year in asking people to donate.

“For the event itself, normally it runs from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. and that time signifies the cancer patient’s journey. At 5 p.m., when the sun sets, that is sort of like their diagnosis. As it gets darker, that’s when they struggle through things. Everything may not be as happy as it could be. Then at 5 a.m., when the sun rises, they’re in remission and they see a light at the end of the tunnel.”

Normally the participants walk the perimeter of the field, which is lit by luminaria that have the names of cancer survivors or victims on them, for the duration of the event, but COVID and some bad weather made it a little different.

“This year was a little different because of COVID. It was broken up into time slots this year,” Pehowski said. “We were still very active on the field.”

Although some inclement weather put a damper on some of the usual festivities within the event, the participants were happy to see it through.

“It just shows how dedicated we are to it and how much this cause means to us,” Pehowski said. “With COVID in the last year, it’s been hard to find some team-bonding time as a full team. To do something for this amazing cause was so much fun.”