A Simple Way to Brighten a Day

First-year medical students write messages of encouragement to children with cancer.

First-year students at the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine recently spent their lunch hours in the Medical Education Building courtyard surrounded by glue, glitter, colorful markers, brushes and paint, making cards and writing inspirational messages of hope to El Paso children with cancer.

“This service project gave us a good chance to step away from our studies and engage in community service,” said Jeff Mohlman, medical student and co-chair of the Student Community Service Committee. “Serving these children with cancer gave us the chance to reflect on how patients feel during their illnesses and reminded us that we can brighten someone’s day in simple ways.”

Some of the students also toured the children and their families, as well as staff and volunteers from Candlelighters of El Paso, through the medical school campus. Candlelighters of El Paso is a nonprofit organization that serves families of children with cancer.

“We saw a lot of creativity from the medical students and the children were very excited to get their letters of love," Mohlman said. "The tour came together in the end as a way for the students to meet the children.”

Later this month, Mohlman said the Student Community Service Committee is planning on helping El Paso’s homeless population by providing warm clothes and blankets.