Students Behind the Scenes: Robert Burns

Team Burns may be a recent addition to the campus charity circuit, but it brings with it a good cause, a compelling story and a transplant from Philadelphia.  And don’t make the mistake of thinking that it is named for the UGA senior who runs the charity; that is the last thing Robert Burns wants anyone to think.

“They hear Team Burns and they think it’s about me,” Burns said.  “It’s not for me at all.”

Team Burns and the passionate people behind it are committed to raising awareness and money for the American Cancer Society.  The group is just getting off the ground at UGA this fall with 20 members and growing weekly.  Team Burns has its roots in Monroe, Ga., where Burns lives with his mother and sister.  He commutes to UGA every day, balancing classes and running a charity full-time, and then returns home to his family at night.

But the biggest part of Team Burns is a memory that Burns strives to keep alive each day.

Burns was a senior in high school, living with his family in Philadelphia, Pa., when they decided to take a trip to Atlanta, Ga.  During their stay, his father, Ted Burns, had a brain hemorrhage.  Ted Burns fought for his life for two weeks at Emory hospital.

“If I make it through this, let’s move to Georgia,” Burns said to his family.  Mr. Burns recovered and the family settled in Monroe, Ga., so Robert could attend Morehouse College in the fall as a freshman.  He later transferred to UGA.

Mr. Burns, however, never fully recovered.  He had an advanced stage of colon cancer and the doctors gave him six months to live.  Robert, his mother and his sister spent every moment they could with Mr. Burns.  They took him to Las Vegas for his 50^th birthday in June of 2008.  Mr. Burns was in a wheelchair, but he made the most of the trip.

A movie junkie, Mr. Burns went to Blockbuster every day.  It was just around the corner and Mr. Burns formed a good relationship with the employees.  His outgoing personality connected with everyone around him.  And it even garnered a part-time job for Robert, which he still has two and half years later.

Then, in August of 2008, Mr. Burns passed away.  While Robert and his family mourned the loss, his fellow coworkers at Blockbuster began to think of a way to keep Mr. Burns’ memory alive.

“I watched him go right before my eyes,” Burns said.  “Cancer…it’s a big thing.”

Team Burns began as a “Relay for Life” group.  Robert began to work closely with his Blockbuster coworkers on raising money for the American Cancer Society at the relays.  The Monroe chapter was small, but they raised and donated $3,000 in three weeks.

Burns began to add more events and he took over to co-run the group with his mother, Leslie.  As a member of The Accidentals, UGA’s oldest all-male a cappella group, Burns brought up raising money at the Spring Sing:Voices for a Cure.  The two-day festival raised money and awareness for ACS through Team Burns with the cooperation of his fellow Accidentals.

It was time to establish a UGA chapter of Team Burns.  Burns began by spreading word of mouth and forming a Facebook group to gain members.  Because it consumes his life, Burns wanted his charity alongside him at school.

“I’ve never been someone who has a story to tell,” Burns said.  “I’m just an average guy, but this has really dominated my life.  Team Burns is all I care about.”

Team Burns has expanded to include six subcommittees that deal with promotions, advertising, fundraising, sponsorships, electronic media/social networking and ideas and planning.  Burns says that there are always leadership opportunities.  Anyone with a remote interest in raising awareness for cancer is encouraged to join.  Burns is always open to having students head committees or forming their own.

Right now, Team Burns is gearing up for the fall and winter events.  They will have fall bake sales, sell buttons during Georgia game weekends and possibly at the end of October, a “Carnival for the Cure” at Tate.  They are also planning for another Spring Sing in April.  Anyone who wishes to join Team Burns can attend meetings every Wednesday at 5 p.m. in the MLC in room 267.  The Facebook group provides more details about the meetings.

At the end of the day, Burns goes home and talks in the kitchen with his mother about Team Burns until midnight.  He has become even closer with his mother and sister since the passing of his father.  While the charity consumes most of his time, he is grateful to have it in his life.  Burns started this for his father, but now Team Burns is for everyone who has and will ever have cancer.

His ultimate goal for Team Burns?  To raise $1 million for the American Cancer Society.  But personally, Burns wants to raise awareness, especially in college students.

“Cancer affects everyone in some way or another,” Burns said.  “And whether it directly affects you, think about those around you who it does affect.  Consider coming to a meeting and getting involved to help save someone else.”

Interested in finding out more about Team Burns?  You can check out these Web sites for more information.

Team Burns

Relay for Life

Email contacts:

TeamBurns2008@gmail.com

teamburnsfightsback@gmail.com

P.O. Box (mainly for donations):

Team Burns, P.O. Box 714, Monroe, GA 30655.

Ashley Strickland is a senior majoring in magazines at the University of Georgia.  She loves meeting new students and listening to their compelling stories for her column.  Know a student behind the scenes?  Email me at ashleystrickland9@gmail.com!