Trent University students came together during Orientation Week in September to battle for the Taylor Cup, and to raise money for Shinerama. After a week of fundraising on campus and in the community, $10,000 was donated to Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Canada.

“Trent students have a strong sense of community and leadership. We believe supporting those in need is an important part of the Trent experience. My team and I were overwhelmed by the success of our campaign in just a few short days,” said Sarah Mitchell a, co-chair of Trent Gives, the student-run organization coordinating student fundraising.

The Taylor Cup, named in memory of former Trent student Natasha Taylor who fought CF, is awarded annually to the College who raises the most money as part of Shinerama. While all Colleges put forth a valiant effort this year, the trophy now resides with Champlain College for the year.

“Being the older sister of two boys living with CF, I see first-hand where the funds go, and what this money can do, right here in Peterborough,” said Emily Grady a representative from the Peterborough chapter of Cystic Fibrosis Canada. Twenty-seven children in Peterborough live with the disease.

Shinerama is Canada’s largest post-secondary fundraiser in support of Cystic Fibrosis Canada, with 60 Canadian universities and colleges participating. The impacts of Shinerama are evident; a child diagnosed in the 1960s was not expected to live long enough to attend kindergarten, but now the median age of survival of Canadians is among the highest in the world, at 49 years of age in 2012.