University of Oregon student Scott Michael Frank Svetal was involved in a collision with a vehicle while on his skateboard this past November.

This accident left him in a life-threatening condition, with family and friends unsure if he would survive.

“When the accident occurred, it was heartbreaking because we weren’t expecting him to make it — especially during the first week,” said Whitney Sweet, a friend of Svetal.

With the support of family and friends, Svetal is recovering. Sweet has been a particular proponent in supporting Svetal and his family during his recovery.

“When you are about to lose someone, you realize how much you care about that person,” Sweet said. “I was really upset that there wasn’t anything I could do to help. I felt like I was out of control.”

Sweet channeled these feelings into fundraising money to help Svetal’s family pay for medical treatment.

“I coordinated a pizza fundraiser at Papa’s (Pizza Parlor) in November, and we had very good success at that,” Sweet said. “We got a little over $3,000.”

But Sweet isn’t stopping there.

Svetal’s accident brings attention to the importance of helmet awareness, as he was not wearing a helmet at the time of his accident. ­

A family friend of the Svetal’s, Kim Wriggle, thinks that the issue of helmet awareness is extremely relevant, particularly with the opening of Eugene’s new skate park.

“It’s a great, great campaign I think, and a much needed campaign,” Wriggle said. “You know, Scott happens to be the tool we used to get the word out, and so be it — Scott wouldn’t want it any other way.”

As a way of raising helmet awareness and financially supporting Svetal, Sweet has organized a Seize the Day 5K event.

“I’ve participated in lots of fundraisers that were 5Ks in the past, and I think they’ve had good success,” Sweet said. “So I took on that idea. His (Svetal’s) dad said, ‘Hey, if you could find a way to incorporate helmet awareness, that’d be awesome.’ So I contacted Tactics and got in touch with their skate team.”

Tactics is a local skate shop and one of the members of its skate team, Ross Druckrey, will be attending the event to speak about the importance of wearing helmets.

Wriggle helped arrange for approximately $2,465 worth of donated raffle prizes that will be auctioned off at the run, including two custom helmets.

“The other thing that I think is really neat about the walk for Scotty is that Nutcase Helmets donated two helmets that we are going to auction off at the run,” Wriggle said. “They’re really custom helmets — all shiny black with flames.”

Svetal was involved with soccer and track during high school, which was one of the reasons Sweet decided to organize a 5K.

“Scotty’s been a runner forever, so I thought that a 5K was probably fitting for him,” Sweet said.

Nic Heaton and Wriggle speak highly of Sweet and her decision to organize this 5K.

“I think it’s a really good idea,” Heaton said. “I don’t really know the details of what his parents are dealing with, medical bill-wise, but if anything goes toward that I think it’s a good cause.”

“For the fact that Whitney is such a young lady, for her to take this on is a really brave thing to do,” Wriggle said. “It’s pretty amazing, what she’s doing. It means a lot to everybody.”

There is no registration fee for the 5K, but all proceeds will go to Svetal’s medical fund. The event will be this Saturday, May 3 at 11 a.m. at the Adidas Trail, right next to Amazon Park on 27th Avenue and Hilyard Street. Parking is available at the Amazon Village Community Center on 2700 Hilyard St.

Follow Kira Hoffelmeyer on Twitter @KHoffy29