Ping Pong tourney used to raise money
for class trip

Professor Mike Ginestre’s Communication 472 class held a ping-pong tournament in the Campus Center to benefit Team Upstate New York of the Kidney Foundation of Upstate New York on April 5.
The team is trying to raise money so they can attend the U.S. Transplant Games in Louisville, Ky., which is a four-day athletic competition starting June 16.
“To be an athlete, you must be a recipient of a life-saving organ like a heart, kidney, pancreas or bone marrow,” said Marcia Johnson, the team manager whose husband was a recipient of a life-saving organ.
The Upstate New York team consists of 14 athletes, who have all had an organ transplant.
A donor family has also been invited along to attend the event with the team.
The games are held every two years and are not just about the athletic competitions. The Transplant Games raise awareness of the success of organ donation and also promote people to consider being a donor. There are also special ceremonies that remember those who have passed away.
The class raised $120 for the cause.
“It’s not about the money, it’s about our class as a team to make Rochester’s team known in the community,” said senior Melissa Gonzales.
“I had to guide them very little. This was a complete student run event,” said Ginestre. “We had a great turnout, we were happy so many players came. I couldn’t be happier with the event.”
The event brought out 20 participants, who each paid a $5 entry fee to play. The champion was sophomore Orkan Cintuglu.
“I didn’t know this was a charity event,” said Cintuglu. “I thought it was just a Fisher event. I’m really glad I came.”
Cintuglu walked away with a Fisher hooded sweatshirt as his prize. Coming in second place was senior Paul Ilukor, who received a Target gift certificate.

To learn more information, visit the team’s website at www.firstgiving.com/teamupstateny.

By Megan Baker
mnb00314@sjfc.edu