The crisp evening air was filled with sounds of cheering, laughter and the rickety wheels on the road.
These are the typical sounds of the annual Greek Kart event. However, this year it was different.
This year, Greek Kart was directed by Hunter Kidwell with hopes of fundraising money for sophomore student, Michael Roman, who was diagnosed with cancer.
This event hit home for director Kidwell.
Roman used to be a member of the Phi Kappa Theta fraternity and when Kidwell (who is in the Sigma Nu fraternity) heard of what was happening with him he decided to host Greek Kart in his honor.
Kidwell, in addition to raising money for Roman’s battle, wanted to raise awareness.
“The Greek community hasn’t been as connected in the past,” Kidwell said. “This is a way for everyone to come together for a common cause.”
The event reached more students than just those in Greek life. The women’s basketball team was in attendance as well as community members and other students.
Roman was very grateful when Kidwell reached out to him to tell him the event was being done in his honor.
Roman said, “It put a smile on my face.”
Roman was diagnosed with brain cancer this past summer.
“One day out of nowhere, I wasn’t feeling too great,” Roman said. “I had a terrible headache, which ended up turning into a seizure.”
Shortly after the seizure, there was a discovery of a tumor which led to the discovery of Astrocytoma, brain cancer. Though scary at times, Roman said, “There’s not much in your control, but you can control your attitude. If you stay positive, that’s something no one can take away.”
He also expressed his gratitude for Greek life at Eastern.
“Everyone has been very supportive and it gives me a lot of hope.”
Kat Maxson, a current member of the Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority and girlfriend of Roman, felt that the outpour of support from the event was sweet.
“He knows there’s still people thinking of him and caring about him,” Maxson said.
She also touched on although there is no ignoring the hardships or how difficult the situation is, “You’re not going through anything alone.”
Phi Kappa Theta member Elijah Harden said, “The amount of people who came out to show support was great. Most of the chapters came out and even the girl’s basketball team came out, just a lot of support today.”
Kidwell was more than satisfied with the event.
He said, “It was amazing to meet Michael’s parents and just see the impact it had on them and him.”
He was hoping to raise $500 for Roman and later stated that the event exceeded that.
Anna Hagan can be reached at 581-2812 or at [email protected].
