The Prouty saw record student participation, likely spurred by three $1,000 prizes offered by Wes Chapman '77 Tu '81 to those Greek houses that raised the most money, had the largest percentage of volunteers or had the largest number of students complete the 100-mile bike race. The $1,000 awards must be spent on non-alcoholic social events by the end of the term.
This year, Greek organizations raised over $10,000, and most houses had over 70 percent of their membership volunteer, according to Ethan Lubka '10, the Greek coordinator for the Prouty. The Prouty is the largest philanthropy event for members of the Greek system during Summer term, if not the entire year, Lubka said.
"I think it proves we're not wasting away in the basement all the time," Lubka said. "The Greeks are a mobilizing force that can get out there and help. We're a large portion of the Dartmouth campus. We're responsible people. If we work together we can accomplish something big."
Kappa Delta Epsilon sorority is currently in the lead for the fundraising award, collecting $4,589, while Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority is in close second with $4,115. The overall winner of the prize, however, has not yet been determined, Lubka said. He added that it is also too early to determine the winner of the volunteer prize, as there are currently at least five Greek houses claiming 100 percent participation.
Sigma Nu fraternity won the "Iron Butt Award," with five of its members completing the 100-mile bike race. Sig Nu biker Jack Zhang '10 said the race was one of the more painful things he had ever done in his life.
"It was less a test of physical strength than mental willpower," he said.
Nick Dawe '10, who rode for Chi Heorot, said the race's difficulty was outweighed by its positive influence.
"My grandpa is a cancer survivor, so I thought it would be a great opportunity for cancer research. It was tons of fun," he said.
The Prouty originally began in 1982 when four nurses from DHMC were so moved by their ovarian cancer patient Audrey Prouty that they promised to bike 100 miles to raise money for cancer. Prouty died just before the bike ride, but the nurses still managed to raise $4,000.
Since then, the event has grown each year, according to organizer Jean Brown. The event had 1,200 participants five years ago, Brown said, in comparison to the 4,200 who participated this year.
The Prouty provides the majority of private donations the Norris Cotton Cancer Center receives each year, with 90 percent of the event's donations going directly towards the center's general fund, Brown said.
The government provides the center with $60 million per year, but that number has been unchanged for many years, Brown said. The extra $2 million is an important part of the center's budget, she said.
"It provides us with seed money for good ideas," she said. "Nobody wants to pay for patient services if you don't have philanthropic dollars. It makes an enormous difference."
Susan Wright, the honorary chair of the Friends of the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, was the highest fundraiser raising $49,625 with her team "The Wright Stuff," which in total collected $77,900. Wright said this was by far her most successful year, as her own personal fundraising doubled.
Her team originally set their fundraising goal at $25,000, only to exceed that benchmark by over $50,000. Wright attributed her success to the growing awareness of the event among members of the Dartmouth community, and the fundraising letter she sent out describing her own personal struggle against cancer.
"It has really become identified with the community," she said. "Everyone sees the banners on Main Street. I think people are aware of it. Some are having families and friends come up to do it."
Wright became involved with the Prouty after contracting breast cancer in 1995. She was able to get cutting- edge experimental treatment at the cancer center, helping her to make a full recovery.
"After I was treated with breast cancer I told the president of the hospital if there was anything I could do, sign me up," Wright said.
After participating in the Prouty, Wright said she realized that her story was not unique. Almost everyone has been touched by cancer in some way, Wright said, and she believes the reason the Prouty is so successful is that it gives people the opportunity to do something about it.
"Everyone is there because of a story," she said. "We all know too many who died of cancer."
