The loss of a loved one is a difficult trauma to overcome, but OraLea McGee transformed the loss of her son into a thriving organization dedicated to making a difference.

William McGee was 17 when he succumbed to liver cancer. After spending a short time at St. Jude, the McGee family decided to give back whatever they could to the organization.

“We always wanted to do something but were never really able. Every year on the first Saturday in December, St. Jude has a marathon. We went back the first year and my ex-husband ran the marathon while Rachel and I walked it,” said McGee, a sophomore social work major.

McGee said that the birth of team Willpower rested in that marathon.

“Last year my ex-husband was going to run again, and then 20 other runners wanted to go and it built up until we thought, ‘well, why not have an event?’” McGee said.

McGee said that at last year’s event, they raised $75,000 for St. Jude.

“Anyone can contribute,” McGee said. “You can get in touch with us and donate year round.”

Rachel McGee Madden, Will McGee’s sister, said that her family held a great amount of passion for St. Jude.

“My family came together and decided to support St. Jude in any way that we can,” Madden said.

Madden said the process of running a non-profit organization is a learning experience.

“Last year went off very well, so this year we were very excited with the addition of the theme. We bounced the idea off of each other and we got so much interest in it that we decided to do it,” Madden said.

Madden serves as co-founder and president of the organization along with her mother and father, Mike McGee.

“We all kind of share in the responsibilities,” Madden said.

Madden said all proceeds of the Team Willpower Masquerade Ball will go straight to St. Jude.

“The raffle tickets, mask sales, and entry tickets are all part of the money we raise. We also have an auction going on,” Madden said.

David Brasher attended the event after receiving an invite from a friend.

“I love it, it’s a great cause. It’s something really fun to do. I’ve never been to a masquerade ball before. The idea of dressing up and putting on a mask, going out, listening to a good band is really fun,” said Brasher, a junior English major.

Though he has no personal experience with cancer, Brasher said supporting St. Jude was important to him.

“Any charitable event makes you more cognizant of an issue and then if you have it, it makes you want to give it,” Brasher said.