Lauren Chan and Bohyung Min's eyes light up when they talk about Medicins Sans Frontiers/Doctors Without Borders (MSF), a neutral international organization dedicated to providing medical care where it's needed most.
"It's quite dangerous at times to go out," Chan says. "Just the fact that there are people who are willing to put themselves in those dangerous situations and give is really what I want to take out of medicine."
MSF actively delivers care in war zones, epidemic hot spots and disaster sites; when most people are looking to leave an area, MSF volunteers are looking to enter. Chan and Min say they are inspired by the organization's work; so much, in fact, that they are this year's organizers of Run Without Borders.
Run Without Borders is a 10-kilometre fun run and walk in support of MSF. Held on Sept. 26 in the River Valley, this is the fourth annual event organized by medical students at the University of Alberta in partnership with the Running Room. Registration is open to anyone who is interested in participating.
"I really hope that our race gets as much support as possible from the Edmonton community," says race co-ordinator Justin Quedado, a second-year medical student. "I hope that we can bring more attention to the important work that MSF does worldwide, especially now with the Ebola crisis that continues to threaten African nations."
Organizers hope to raise $2,000 through the race, which has a $20 fee per racer. To boost fundraising efforts, they're also hosting a screening of Triage: Dr. James Orbynski's Humanitarian Dilemma, a documentary that depicts the work that led former MSF president James Orbynski to win the 1999 Nobel Peace Prize. The screening will be hosted on Sept. 26 in ECHA 1-182 from 6 pm to 8 pm, with an entry fee of $3 for racers and $5 for non-racers.
Min says she became interested in supporting global health initiatives after completing a research project centred on malaria diagnostic tools in Tanzania as an undergraduate student. "The difference between there and Canada's health care system is very stark. It made me realize how lucky we are to just walk into a pharmacy and ask for a pill or a vaccination and receive it on the spot," she says of the experience.
More than 86 per cent of donations received by MSF go directly into funding their program services. Tax receipts will be available to those who donate $20 or more.
Donation to UAlberta's Run Without Borders can also be made online.