AMWA Preventive Medicine Task Force (PMTF) Participates in 5K walk/run for Kids with Cancer
by Sneha Chaturvedi
PMTF Pre-Med Student Co-Chair
The Pre-Medical Society of American Heritage High School in Plantation, Florida and their non-profit organization the A Road for the Cure Foundation hosted its 11th annual 5k for a Better Day on Sunday April 2nd, 2016. Members and leaders of the American Medical Women’s Association’s Preventive Medicine Task Force came out to support the event and the efforts of all the students.
Previously held at Broward Health Hospital, the 5k was relocated to Sunset Park in Plantation to start a new decade of giving back to the community. More than 300 runners were present, and $10,000 were raised to support the pediatric oncology unit at Broward Health. As sophomore and 5K Committee Chair Karthik Sriganeshan stated about the event, “the event not only raised money for the unit, but also raised awareness in our community about what our mission is and how other people can get involved.”
American Heritage’s Pre-Medical Society has spent the past sixteen years bringing joy and laughter to children with cancer at the Hematology and Oncology Unit of Broward Health Hospital. Through daily volunteering and monthly events, the Pre-Medical Students have helped dozens of children normalize the hospital environment with kids their age. Pre-Medical Society President and AMWA Preventive Medicine Task Force Pre-Medical Student Co-Chair Sneha Chaturvedi describes the project as “a way to give these kids back a childhood taken from them by the effects of cancer, and to show them that we are all standing by them, ready to fight as well”. In addition to the 5k, the students host three other events, the main being the annual Holiday Party where the students raise over $20,000 to buy each patient around $400 worth of holiday presents, each wrapped personally by the students and delivered by a Santa at a magical, fun filled event.
Recently, the Pre-Medical Society has committed to funding the new pediatric oncology playroom being built on its recently remodeled pediatric oncology floor. The half a million dollar project will create a wonderful social environment for patients to interact with each other and their dedicated volunteers. Events such as the 5k for a Better Day and the recently created Annual Gala will be funding the project over the next five years. In addition, the students run a non-profit with a mission to support and empower pediatric oncology patients in the Broward Community.
For more information about and to donate to A Road for the Cure Foundation and the 5K for a Better Day, please visit their websites:
aroadforthecure.org
5kforabetterday.org
Runners T-shirt featuring all sponsors and supporters
American Heritage (AHS) Vice President Dr. Doug Laurie, Chair of AHS Pre-med and PMTF member Dr. Carlos Pulido, PMTF co-chair/founder Dr. Farzanna Haffizulla, AHS Pre-Med Society President and PMTF student co-chair Sneha Chaturvedi pictured with AHS students and general members of the PMTF.
