Friends And Family Raising Money For Scholarship Fund For The Late Abigail Bastien


Before her passing in July, friends knew that running was one of Abigail Bastien's biggest passions. 

A graduate of Sandusky St. Mary Central Catholic (Ohio) High, the late 19-year-old was a rising sophomore at John Hopkins University, where she was enrolled at the college's Krieger School of Arts & Sciences and was a sprinter on the track and field team. She died following an accidental fall from an apartment building. 

Since that time, friends and family haven't forgotten her love. They have been raising funds for a newly created scholarship fund. 

One of Bastien's friends, Trevor Fitzthum, created blue wristbands with the inscription, "Abigail Bastien ... Finish The Race" as an ode to her love for running. 

At her funeral, a reading came from 2 Timothy 4:7. The passage read, "I have competed well; I have finished the race, I have kept the faith," and friends said it described how Abigail lived her life. 

She was remembered at her funeral as an individual "deeply committed to her faith," per the university's news site HUB. 

Johns Hopkins track coach later added for the outlet: "Abby was full of positivity and brought a smile to everyone she interacted with on a daily basis. She was very team-oriented and built amazing relationships with her teammates. She will always be remembered in such a positive light." 

Fitzthum originally ordered 550 bands and gave them out to friends and family, most without the request of a donation in return. But over that time, donations still came anyway, pooling close to $5,000. 

Fitzthum ordered 1,000 more wristbands to help generate more interest for those interested in donating to the Abigail Bastien Scholarship Fund. He said the goal of the scholarship is to raise $10,000. 

Fitzthum said he and Bastien's family are willing to mail bands to those interested. Contact tfitzthum@aol.com for more information on how to donate to the scholarship fund.