The JOHN JAY JAYWALKERS was officially founded in 2004. In 2008, the
team had more than 70 members and raised close to $7,000.
“For many years, I walked with the John Jay College team,”
said team founder Irene O’Donnell. (That team has been around for
at least 15 years.) “I got breast cancer in 2000, and became the
college team’s captain in 2001. Three years later, I decided to
make the John Jay team official and registered with Komen and the team
name became the JOHN JAY JAYWALKERS! This year, I will be
co-captaining the team with Declan Walsh.
When the team was first started, it was made up primarily of
administrative staff and faculty. Now, team members are mostly
students. “There are quite a few breast cancer survivors, like
myself,” explained O’Donnell. “And the students feel
very strongly about supporting this very worthwhile cause.”
As soon as O’Donnell registers the team, she sends out global
email blasts. It’s difficult to recruit members during the
summer, since the school is closed. However, she sends emails out
weekly during the three weeks prior to the Race. In addition, she posts
team information on the John Jay College website and puts up Komen
Greater NYC and in-house team Race posters throughout the college.
The John Jay Jaywalkers team
Fundraising is a challenge, because students are starting classes and
paying fees at the same time the team is recruiting for the Race. In
the past, monies raised have come from faculty and staff solicitations.
“John Jay Jaywalker’s best moments have been our winning
the top team award in the university/college category in 2006 and
2007,” remembered O’Donnell when we had 100+ members on the
team. “The hard work paid off!”