Alpha Epsilon Delta members
UT Dallas pre-health honor society students, participating in a fundraiser for cancer research, recently raised nearly $2,000 in the name of a 20-year lymphoma survivor.
Thirty-three members of Alpha Epsilon Delta (AED) teamed up with Dr. Wendy Harpham, doctor of internal medicine, professional writer and wife of Associate Provost Ted Harpham, to participate in The Lymphoma Research Foundation’s eighth annual Lymphomathon. The event was held April 30 at Fair Park in Dallas.
“Dr. Harpham spoke at one of our AED general meetings on the topic of physician-patient relationships,” said Kai Tang (BA ’11), 2010-2011 AED service coordinator. “We were inspired by her story as a lymphoma survivor and wanted to be a part of the cause to help save lives.”
Tang approached Wendy Harpham about mobilizing AED students to join her team, Wendy’s Eagles, in the Lymphomathon walk.
Wendy Harpham
Fundraising efforts included a shift as a Sonic carhop and AED member donations. In addition, AED members bid on test preparation courses provided by Kaplan and the Princeton Review in a silent auction.
“On the day of the Lymphomathon while delivering pre-race comments, I looked out at a sea of blue T-shirts designed and worn by UT Dallas AED students, and my heart filled with gratitude, joy and hope,” Harpham said. “As a physician, nothing could make me happier than seeing bright pre-health students step outside the classroom and show their commitment to the well-being of others.”
Harpham’s daughter, McDermott Scholar alumna Jessie Harpham Voit (BS ’09), helped raise funds for cancer research while at UT Dallas. She is studying medicine at UT Southwestern.