Tufts Student Died After Choking During Charity Eating Contest

SOMERVILLE, MA — A Tufts University student who died in an off-campus accident fatally choked during a charity event for breast cancer awareness.

Madie Nicpon, a junior on the women's lacrosse team, was participating in a hot dog eating contest as part of the "Play for Pink" fundraiser on Saturday, WCVB's Rhondella Richardson reported. She was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital, where she died the next day.

About 3,000 students, faculty and staff gathered Sunday at the Gantcher Center in Nicpon's memory, before heading to Bello Field for a candlelight vigil, university officials said. A GoFundMe campaign to assist her family with funeral and medical expenses had raised more than $158,000 as of 8:30 a.m. Thursday.

"Her generosity and kindness has left a lasting impact on those around her," Theresa Osborne, who organized the GoFundMe page, wrote.

Nicpon, a native of Suffern, New York, was a three-sport athlete at Suffern High School and president of her senior class. She was majoring in biopsychology at Tufts.

"In the face of this painful loss, our hearts go out to Madie's family and friends," University President Anthony Monaco, Arts and Sciences Dean James Glaser and Dean of Student Affairs Camille Lizarríbar said in a joint statement.

Previously: Tufts University Mourns Student Who Died In Accident