Contact: Amy Gilliam

Anshu K. Jain

The proceeds of the fund-raiser went to Oxfam America, a Boston-based international development and relief agency, and an affiliate of Oxfam International. Oxfam is currently the sole provider of clean water and other supplies in Bandeh Aceh, Indonesia.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 18, 2005) -- Students from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine supported the efforts of organizations providing humanitarian relief to the areas devastated by the South Asia tsunami by raising nearly $11,000.

After discussing fund-raising ideas with the dean of the UK College of Medicine, Dr. Jay A. Perman, and the Medical School Government Association (MSGA), and receiving positive feedback, the fund-raising efforts, Giving From the Heart, began Jan. 10, 2005, and extended until Valentine’s Day. Each College of Medicine class was charged with raising a minimum of $1,000.

"People wonder at times whether today's medical students and our future doctors are as given over to helping others as the old-time general practitioner was,” Perman said. “Here is the answer: our medical students repeatedly demonstrate that they care deeply about making people better.”

Student ambassadors asked their fellow students to be creative in thinking of how they may be able to contribute by making small sacrifices in other ways.

“This highlights our medical community’s commitment and dedication to humanitarian relief around the world,” said Anshu K. Jain, first-year UK College of Medicine student and originator of the Giving From the Heart fund-raising idea.

The proceeds of the fund-raiser went to Oxfam America, a Boston-based international development and relief agency, and an affiliate of Oxfam International. Oxfam is currently the sole provider of clean water and other supplies in Bandeh Aceh, Indonesia, one of the hardest-stricken areas. Oxfam has multiple bases and the ability to deliver critical aid quickly and efficiently.