By Sarah Kuper
A Vestavia Hills High School senior headed to Auburn University in the fall, Ellie Barrentine is busy with dance team, youth leadership and a cause close to her family’s heart – Relay for Life.
Barrentine is the granddaughter of Birmingham businessman and philanthropist Joe Lee Griffin. Griffin was a lifelong volunteer for the American Cancer Society and sat on the board for many years.
After losing his first and second wives to cancer, Griffin lost his own battle with cancer in 1998.
His family honored his legacy by helping build a facility to serve cancer patients who must travel far from home for treatment.
The Joe Lee Griffin Hope Lodge near St. Vincent’s hospital was completed in 2000.
Though her family is closely connected with cancer awareness and activism, Barrentine said that isn’t the only reason Relay for Life is important to her.
“I’m making my small contribution for my family but it is also opening my eyes to people I didn’t know were affected,” said Barrentine, who is co-chair of the school’s Relay for Life.
Just like Barrentine’s family, Vestavia Hills High School has a history of success when it comes to raising awareness and money for a cancer cure. Last year, the school raised more than $264,000 through relay fundraisers.
Barrentine expects they will raise at least that much this year.
The school’s Relay for Life event will be April 16, but that is just the capstone of the fund drive. Vestavia Hills students have been fundraising all year, selling T-shirts and even signing up for a “Purple People Run,” in which participants ran a 5K color run.
Students from Vestavia Hills elementary and junior high schools also are raising money and securing sponsorships.
So far, the Vestavia Hills Relay for Life has almost 90 teams signed up, and it has raised nearly $100,000 before the event even starts.
Barrentine said the school has a goal to raise $1 million dollars by 2019 – that’s $250,000 per year starting this year.
One of her primary goals is to execute a successful event, but she also wants to ensure the community is as involved as possible.
She believes she and her peers should harness the power they have as young adults to get others to pay attention.
“Our involvement does more than we realize sometimes. It means something to people and it makes people take notice,” she said.
Barrentine said working on Relay for Life has given her a greater understanding of what it is like to deal with cancer, but it also has helped her develop important life skills.
“It has helped me grow up. I’ve learned to manage time and how to communicate. It forces you to meet people you otherwise might not hang out with.”
To register a team or donate, visit relay.org/birmingham and click on Vestavia Hills High School Relay for Life
