KU Cares: 8 in '08 Campaign

I have always believed the greatest resource we have as an academic medical center is the passion, heart and talent our employees bring to their pursuit of enhancing the health of those we serve. I am so proud of the ways in which the employees of KU Medical Center choose to make a difference. In so many generous ways you truly demonstrate that KU Cares.

With that in mind I want to ask you to consider participating in a new initiative to expand the good we do in our community.

I am asking all of the employees of the medical center to consider giving at least 8 hours of volunteer community service in 2008. We call it "8 in '08". I know many of you will do more--but imagine the impact we could have if every one of us participated!

Throughout the year we will be promoting proven ways in which your volunteer service can make a big difference. The first opportunity took place in January with a Lunch & Learn for YouthFriends as we celebrated National Mentoring Month. Kansas City is home to a nationally recognized, school-based mentoring initiative, YouthFriends www.youthfriends.org This program is an easy, fast and effective way for our faculty, students and staff to share their guidance, advice and presence with a young person in a school-based setting.

Another way to get involved and make a difference in your community is by participating in the Walk to Defeat ALS. Every 90 minutes, someone in this country is diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease or ALS, and someone else dies from this disease. At KU Medical Center, we are working hard to change these sobering statistics through clinical research trials. Monies raised by those who participate in the ALS Walk help fund programs and services for ALS patients and their families and support premier ALS research. Visit www.alsa-midwest.org today!

To learn how you can get involved, click on Sign Up under the Get Involved tab for more detailed information or contact Paula Baum, Community Affairs Manager at 588-1017 or pbaum@kumc.edu.

I appreciate all that you do to show that KU Cares.

Thank you,

Barbara Atkinson, MD
Executive Vice Chancellor
Executive Dean, KU School of Medicine

Questions?

Call (913) 588-1017 to contact the Community Affairs staff.