Phi Epsilon Kappa, a national organization dedicated to exercise science and related fields, recently held a “Light the Night” event on the campus of Tennessee Tech University to raise awareness of National Donate Life Month in honor of one of their own, Christina Turnbow.

Turnbow, a lecturer in the exercise science department, found out about one and a half years ago that she had liver disease, according to Christy Killman, PEK chapter advisor and professor. Last fall she went on the donor list after working with Mayo Clinic and Vanderbilt Medical Center. She had her transplant surgery on February 22.

Turnbow has been working full time at Tech since 2009, first as instructor and now lecturer. Her specialty areas are pedagogy and motor development.

The officers and members of PEK, of which Turnbow is a faculty member, wanted to do something for her. The idea of a walk came because Turnbow was seen walking daily in Memorial Gym, around the quad and around campus, which was part of her ‘treatment.’ The group came up with the Glow Walk theme because they thought it would be fun, a tribute to Turnbow and a healthy type of event.

“I have known Mrs. Turnbow since my freshman year and I have been blessed to be around her,” Barrett Streeter, a junior exercise science, pre-physical therapy major, and president of the PEK Honors Fraternity, said. “She was my sister's favorite professor, and even though my concentration did not cross paths with her courses, it takes one conversation with her to understand why. She truly is a beacon of joy!”

April is National Donate Life Month and Killman said they thought that was fitting since Turnbow received a life-saving donation from a live donor. April 6 is “Live Donor Appreciation Day.” There is a lot that goes into being a live donor, including multiple medical and psychological tests.

“One really cool thing that happened at ‘Light the Night’ is that Christina’s donor was in attendance. Mrs. Turnbow came, too, for a short time,” Killman said. “There were others in attendance who heard about the event, and wanted to come to represent the ‘live donor’ group and also the ‘recipient’ group. I love how this took on a life of its own.”

Streeter took part in planning and organizing the event along with the other PEK officers and Killman. He said personally knew one person other than Turnbow that had a liver transplant this year, a child that received a heart transplant, and one other adult that received a kidney.

“It is amazing how real the need is out there. I am thankful Mrs. Turnbow was able to receive a liver,” Streeter said.

Streeter, who is from Mt. Juliet, emceed the "Light the Night" event and he and the officers coordinated it the day of. Free T-shirts were given to the first 250 students who presented a Tech ID and glow paint and bottled water were given out. There was also a raffle for prizes, all in support of Turnbow.

The Zeta Psi chapter has been Tech’s campus since 2009, and this was the largest event the group has planned. There was a large turnout and donations are still coming in with all proceeds going directly to Turnbow.

“She is gaining her strength back and doing well. Also, very anxious to get back to work,” Killman said.

The “Light the Night” was a free event that was sponsored by SOLO funds. Stonecom 95.9 Lite Rock provided the music and microphone for the event. Ralphs Donuts, Taco Bell at Jackson Plaza, and Cumberland Outdoor also made donations.  

There were people from the Tech community, Cookeville community, former students, and current students in attendance. Some people who had never heard of Turnbow came because they heard about the event and thought it was a great thing PEK was putting on, according to Killman. Some who could not attend sent in donations for Turnbow. Southern Soft Ice donated concession items that were sold and 100 percent of the proceeds go to Turnbow and her family during the healing process.

“I hope that PEK brought awareness to this cause [National Donate Life Month] through ‘Light the Night.’ The attendance and donations received more than likely would not have been so high if it were not for who the event was for,” Streeter said. “Mrs. Turnbow is the reason everyone came out, and she is the reason we even had this event in the first place.”

PEK is planning to hold the event next year in April and make it an annual event. For more information on National Donate Life Month and organ donation visit https://www.donatelife.net.

“It truly does save lives. If nothing else, I hope this event will raise awareness moving forward for years to come,” Killman said. 

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