The Alpha Omicron Pi sorority will host its Fourth Annual Run for the Roses 5K on Saturday, Oct. 6 with proceeds from the event benefiting arthritis research.

The race will begin at 10 a.m. at the AO? house on Olympic Boulevard and entry fee for the event is $20. Participants will receive a t-shirt and, at the conclusion of the race, a lunch catered by Jimmy John’s. Prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers in both the male and female categories.

Morgan Love, AO?’s Vice president of communications and former philanthropic chair, encourages both the community and the student body to come out and participate in the event.

“AO? gives back to the university in many ways, and we would love support from the student body. It’s a great way for them to give back and have fun,” Love said. “Last year, we raised over $14,000 and this year we’re hoping to raise at least $15,000.”

Dory Sartoris, president of AO?, says that her sorority sisters and she are proud to support such a worthy cause.

“Philanthropy is the most important thing to AO?, and the fact that we are able to raise money for this cause is truly an honor,” Sartoris said.

Sartoris went on to encourage students of Georgia Southern University, as well as the community of Statesboro, to participate in the 3.1-mile race.

“We’ve been impressed by the turnout in past years and by how involved people get. We’re looking forward to seeing the turnout increase this year,” Sartoris said.

Kaitlynne Ward, a new member of AO?, is already very passionate about her sorority’s goal to raise money for arthritis research.

“Though I have no personal connection to arthritis, this is definitely a very important cause. I’m really looking forward to volunteering and cheering everyone on,” Ward said.

Love said the reason AO? supports this particular cause is because arthritis is often neglected.

“This is an important cause because it is often overlooked. Arthritis affects millions of people across our nation,” Love said. “A lot of groups raise money for cancer and while that’s very important too, we decided to raise money for arthritis research.”

According to the Arthritis Foundation, over 46 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with arthritis, an ailment that affects the movement of joints and causes inflammation of the joints.

Arthritis is a chronic condition that affects men, women and children, and no cure exists. Run for the Roses—whose name was inspired by the Jacqueminot Rose, official flower of AO?—raises money for treatment and prevention of this terrible disease.

Prizes have not yet been decided on, Love said.

For race registration forms contact AO?’s Philanthropic Chair Kaitlin Stringer at 404-931-5360.