DEMON DEAcONS 'GOLD RUSH' GAME PERSONIFIES PRO HUMANITATE MOTTO WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY // Atrium Heath Wake FOrest Baptist

Following the Pro Humanitate motto of Wake Forest University, the Demon Deacons football program was proud to partner with Atrium Health Levine Children's Brenner Children's Hospital for a 'Gold Rush' game to raise awareness and benefit research for childhood cancer on Saturday, Sept. 7 when the Deacs hosted the Virginia Cavaliers inside Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. The fun began before kickoff as Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist employees enjoyed a tailgate outside the stadium on Baity St. just a few paces from the Deacon Statue on McCreary Plaza. With that, over 1,200 teammates and their families from Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist came to the game!

Wake Forest student-athletes all had a decal of a gold ribbon on their helmets and the coaching staff, led by head coach Dave Clawson, all sported gold ribbons to help raise awareness for this extremely important cause.

Alongside the Wake Forest captains, six-year-old Lane Patrick joined the referees and both teams at midfield as he was the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist coin toss kid.

Lane was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia when he was 5 years old. After his diagnosis, he had to transition from his kindergarten class to being homeschooled.

Lane loves football and before he became sick, he played pee-wee football for the East Wilkes Cardinals, but currently cannot play because of his treatment. Lane is currently in the maintenance phase of his treatment and goes monthly for visits to Atrium Health Levine Children's Brenner Children's Hospital.

Wake Forest Athletics was proud to spotlight Lane, his family and his inspiring story during the game.

Fans had the opportunity to purchase a ticket package for $35 that included a game ticket, a commemorative t-shirt, a $20 gift card to Strickland Brothers Oil Change, and a $15 donation to Atrium Health Levine Children's Brenner Children's Hospital. Proceeds from additional t-shirt sales supported the effort toward finding cures for Childhood Cancer.

Dr. Lindsay A. Thompson of Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist served as the Week 2 Open the Gate Honoree. Dr. Thompson is the Weston M. Kelsey Professor of Pediatrics and serves as the Enterprise Academic Department Chair at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Beginning first at the University of Florida and now at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and Wake Forest University School of Medicine she has dedicated her career to focusing on the maternal and child impacts of disease and the processes in place attempting to mitigate health disparities. In her time at Atrium Health Levine Children's Brenner Children's Hospital, she has had the opportunity to implement a structure of "on-the-ground knowledge." This kind of structure in the medical field allows for strategic hiring and infrastructure creation to address problems as they arise, and the social drivers that affect families and children. As a professor of pediatrics, Dr. Thompson utilizes her experience across pediatrics to mentor students and providers alike to lead measurable quality improvement and implementation projects within primary care services. Her vision is to systematically provide the highest quality of evidence-based care to all children, thereby reducing health disparities.

'Gold Rush' Game: By the Numbers

244 - Gold Rush T-Shirts Sold

$22,510

DONATION TO CHILDHOOD CANCER RESEARCH AT ATRIUM HEALTH WAKE FOREST BAPTIST!

Wake Forest Athletics was proud to recognize President of Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Dr. David Zaas, President of Brenner Children's Hospital Dr. Alisa Starbuck and Chief Philanthropy Officer Lisa Marshall on the field as this unique and impactful partnership would not have been possible without their collaboration with Wake Forest and leadership.

"Supporting the incredible efforts of Atrium Health Levine Children's Brenner Children's Hospital in fighting childhood cancer while also packing Allegacy Stadium with Gold-clad Wake Forest fans is a perfect representation of the synergy of the broader Demon Deacon community. All of us at Wake Forest University are proud to be the academic core of the nation's third largest non-profit hospital system." -- Vice President & Director of Athletics John Currie
"As chief philanthropy officer, it fills me with immense pride to witness Wake Forest University's steadfast commitment to championing the cause of childhood cancer at the Gold Rush Childhood Cancer Game this fall. All the funds raised through this initiative support Atrium Health Levine Children's Brenner Children's Hospital and play a pivotal role in advancing crucial research initiatives aimed at combating childhood cancer. By investing in cutting-edge research, we are not only striving to improve treatment outcomes but also nurturing hope for a future where no child has to face the harsh realities of cancer. Together, let us harness the power of community and philanthropy and tackle childhood cancer head-on," said Lisa Marshall, chief philanthropy officer and vice president of philanthropy and alumni relations for Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist.

This game against the Hoos was presented by Allegacy Federal Credit Union and Strickland Brothers 10 Minute Oil Change.