ISU pharmacy students plan 15th annual fundraiser for local youth

In addition to long hours spent in classrooms, pharmacy laboratories and studying, Idaho State University College of Pharmacy students find time to assist area residents each year through fund-raising events.

Student members of the ISU Professional Pharmacy Student Alliance (PPSA) will hold the 15th Annual Spaghetti Feed and Auction on Friday, Feb. 22, in the Pond Student Union Building Ballroom at 6 p.m. Twenty-five percent of their $20,000 goal will benefit an area youth through the Make-A-Wish Foundation© of Idaho, with the remainder benefiting the PPSA professional development and community health promotion projects, said Neal Kelly, event chairman.

Last year the fundraiser assisted the foundation to send Thomas, a 5-year-old Pocatello boy who lives with Wilm’s tumor, a malignant cancer of the kidney that primarily affects young children, to Disney World with his family. His mother, Jessica, is an ISU student, pursuing admission into the nursing program. Thomas has a younger brother and his father is a Pocatello police officer.

The benefit includes a feast of Italian food, prepared by College of Pharmacy faculty, and an auction of various items and services donated by area businesses and faculty members.

Additional information, including auction items and ways to donate, is available online at pharmacy.isu.edu. The cost for the meal and benefit auction is $5 per person, $15 per family, and double at the door to encourage the community to get tickets early for planning purposes.

Anyone interested in purchasing tickets or  donating items to the benefit auction may contact Kelly at sfra@pharmacy.isu.edu.