A Straughn High School student battling leukemia is the first of seven recipients to be announced for the 2015 Cancer Freeze.

Organizer Jennifer Davidson said this week that Gordie Cartwright was named the first of the seven recipients for the annual event started in 2007 in memory of family and friends who passed away from cancer.

Proceeds from the day’s events, which usually include a 5K, water events, an auction and more, are split among the beneficiaries selected from the area.

The 2014 event raised $51,000.

Cartwright, who in the spring of 2010 won the national cornbread title, was recently diagnosed with CML – chronic myelogenous leukemia.

“One name every Sunday will be released each week until they are all seven named,” she said. “I have three recipients from Covington County; three from Walton County, and one from Holmes County this year.”

Davidson said T-shirt sponsors are needed for this year’s event.

Deadline is Dec. 14, with three levels of sponsorships, with levels of $500, $250 and $100.

Cancer Freeze is set for Feb. 7, at Lake Jackson in Floralal.

“We have added several events throughout this year, and the next upcoming event is a turkey shoot in Paxton, Fla., on Nov. 15.

The second annual Miss Cancer Freeze pageant is set for Jan. 17, at Florala High School.

Davidson said applications will be available soon.

“We are adding a new category this year called Miss Courageous for special needs girls,” she said. “We are super excited about the category.”