MU fraternity student sitting in chair for 63 hours to raise money for cancer
COLUMBIA — A University of Missouri student is sitting in a rocking chair for 63 hours straight to raise money for cancer research in downtown Columbia.
Brian Carter is the rocker for Alpha Epsilon Pi's (AEPi) Rock-A-Thon. All the proceeds from the Rock-A-Thon are being donated to the American Cancer Association for lung cancer.
Carter said the event is personal to him.
"Unfortunately my grandma passed away when I was in 7th grade from brain cancer and both of my brothers were involved with AEPi as well. They both went here,” said Carter. “I remember talking to both of them and they always said that this is one of the most proud moments of their life, just being a part of this. I knew I wanted to be a part of it and just having that personal connection really made me want to do this.”
He said the best part is the impact the fundraiser will have on the lives of others.
"The amount of money we raise can really go a long way in helping someone who is currently fighting this disease right now,” he said. “If you talk to someone the odds are they've been affected by it somewhere or another. That's why it really means a lot to me."
Carter is on a liquid diet during the Rock-A-Thon. His fraternity brothers are holding up sheets when he has to use the restroom.
The event is being held in front of Simmons Bank at Broadway and 8th Street.
AEPi's Rock-A-Thon Co-tri chairman Jacob Resnick said 110 members will be canning throughout downtown and on the University of Missouri campus to collect donations.
"If you want to come find us, we'll be right here all weekend [until 9 p.m. Saturday]. You'll see all of our volunteers mostly our brothers around the streets of Columbia canning for donations and that's basically the way to donate," Resnick said.
The event started in 1969 on Broadway with a 63-hour Rock-A-Thon. It's held every other year.
The fraternity doesn't reveal the amount raised until the event ends. Resnick said their goal is to break the record that was set in 2015 when $132,000 was raised for the American Cancer Society.
"We're at a good pace. We're in a very comfortable position," Resnick said. "At the end of the day for me and all the guys too, it's not necessarily just about the number. It's really about the huge impact we'll make on saving lives and hopefully finding a cure for cancer."
Donations can also be made online.
