- Student Affairs
Sixteen M.D. students from the UCF College of Medicine put down their iPads and laced up their running shoes to raise $630 for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.
The team from the Women’s Health Interest Group (WHIG) joined 7,701 runners on the campus of UCF at Bright House Networks Stadium. Almost $303,200 was raised in the 5K race organized by Komen’s Central Florida affiliate.
The College of Medicine group promotes women in medicine and women’s health issues, said M-2 student Ricardo Molero Bravo, who enjoys 5Ks and participated in the race.
Before the race “we had finished the S-2 module and learned about breast cancer,” he said.
M-2 student Jocelyn Ray also is another group member who enjoys running and was attracted to the event for a couple of reasons. “It’s a good cause,” said Jocelyn, adding “my mom has a doctorate and does breast cancer work.”
In addition to the race, the group has this year organized a journal club meeting with the Students Interested in Academic Medicine (SIAM) interest group about the benefits and risks of pap smears. They cooked dinner for a shelter that serves women and children who have been victims of domestic violence. Dr. Lori Boardman, assistant dean of medical education and professor of obstetrics and gynecology, is adviser to the women’s health group.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure is a nationwide organization that focuses on raising funds and awareness in the fight against breast cancer. Since its beginning in 1982, the group has invested more than $1.5 billion for research, education and health services.
According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 230,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to occur among women in the U.S. during 2011; about 2,140 new cases are expected in men. An estimated 39,970 breast cancer deaths (39,520 women, 450 men) are expected in 2011.