Cancer has touched the lives of most people, but not for Alyssa Schmode, a second year pharmacy student at the University of Alberta.
“I’m lucky enough to not have an extremely personal connection to cancer, which I hope more people could say,” she says.
That’s why Schmode, a St. Albert Catholic High School grad of 2012, is making a personal effort to find a cure as the junior representative for the U of A’s chapter of the Canadian Association of Pharmacy Students and Interns (CAPSI).
Last year CAPSI and its partner organizations raised more than $40,000 for cancer research (primarily for breast cancer and prostate cancer), ranking it the top pharmacy school in Canada for student fundraising.
CAPSI has 4,000 members across Canada and 130 in the local university chapter.
The organization holds multiple fundraisers per year, the largest one being the CIBC Run for the Cure, an annual fundraiser for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
The cause is close to pharmacy student Dan Burton’s heart. His mother is a breast cancer survivor.
On one hand, he wanted to give back on a personal level, he says. On the other, it is also a chance for the profession to give back.
“A lot of … breast cancer survivors are patients. They are people we are going to be seeing on a day-to-day basis. It’s great that our profession can do something more for them, rather than just seeing them for their medication,” he says.
“We can be pro-active in trying to fund the research so hopefully we can develop cures and (better) their quality of life.”
Fundraising is also an opportunity for pharmacists-to-be to show the profession’s expanded scope of practice, says Schmode.
“Other than dispensing medication … we also take an interest in … promoting health across Canada and this is a great way to do that.”
Students from CAPSI began participating in the CIBC run four years ago. Donations totalled $4,000 in the first year. Last year they surged to $25,000, with more than 100 pharmacy students running on race day.
“We’re really impressed with everybody and all the fundraising efforts,” remarks Burton, who hopes to keep the momentum going this year.
As of Friday afternoon, the U of A pharmacy team had raised $4,000 of their $25,000 goal.
The walk/run takes place in Edmonton on Oct. 5. Donations are due by Oct. 1.
“Any support is definitely appreciated,” says Burton. “Whether it’s to our team or any CIBC run for the cure team, every bit counts. It’s not so much a competition, as it is fundraising as much money as possible and making a difference in the world.”
CAPSI will also be holding two other fundraising events: a softball tournament and barbecue on Sept. 13 at the Confederation ball diamonds in south Edmonton from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and a barbecue on Sept. 27 at Halloween Alley (#128, 270 Baseline Road, Sherwood Park). Donations will be accepted at both events.
Donate to the U of A chapter of CAPSI:
http://bit.ly/X7Lby0
