L-R Second-year medical students Qassim Mian and Ying Ling
Second-year medical students Ying Ling and Qassim Mian are hoping that this year's Medical Students Association fundraiser, Affair of the Heart, leaves a lasting impression.
The annual student-led fundraiser is in its seventh year and the organizing committee aims to pull off an even bigger and better event than before.
With ticket sales only a week old, the committee has already sold more than 390 tickets to the event.
Backed by a team of second- and first-year students, Ling and Mian hope to sell at least 450 tickets. Ling says that this year's committee selected a larger venue, the Shaw Conference Centre, with the hope of "raising awareness as well as funds for charity".
Every year, the Medical Students Association hosts a charity fundraiser supporting a children's charity. In the past, the Rainbow Society of Alberta and the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation have benefitted from the students' efforts.
This year, they chose Little Warriors.
"Little Warriors was selected not only for the work they do with children but also for their work with educational initiatives and their impact on the entire community," Mian says.
The students firmly believe in this cause and the staff at Little Warriors is thrilled to partner with them.
"It is groups like the students from the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry and their events like Affair of the Heart that increase the awareness and success of Little Warriors. We would not be able to continue our momentum without these types of groups," said Bronwyn Peterson, regional program coordinator for Little Warriors. "We are so grateful for all of their support."
Items from the silent auction
The gala evening includes dinner, a fashion show with student and faculty models, musical and dance performances, a candy bar, and a robust silent auction. Those in attendance can bid on items or buy raffle tickets to win a trip for two from Air Canada anywhere in North America.
Funds raised from the event will go towards the Be Brave Ranch, a treatment centre focused on helping children who have been sexually abused, as well as their families.
Petersen says, "The Be Brave Ranch program, supported by Little Warriors, offers these children a place to heal and increase their chances of growing into healthy adults and supports both the child and their families in their own environment for a full year."
This year's Affair of the Heart is really a labour of love for these students, with many involved in the planning that started in November 2013. In fact, as they get closer to the event, both Ling and Mian admit balancing academics and planning duties has become a bit of a challenge but both agree that it's all worth it. "Last year's event was incredible but we want to make it even better," says Ling. "Everything we do for this event goes toward the cause, it's so important we give back to the community."
The Affair of the Heart takes place on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014 at the Shaw Conference Centre. The doors open at 6 p.m. and the program starts at 6:30 p.m. For more information, to buy tickets or to donate visit: http://www.affairoftheheart.ca/.