Achy Breaky Heart at UCLA

On Thursday, February 19th, 2015, Bruins for Israel and GlobeMed at UCLA hosted our fourth annual fundraiser, Achy Breaky Heart. This Valentine’s Day themed event was organized to raise funds and awareness for two unbelievably worthy causes. The first of the two is Israel-based humanitarian organization Save a Child’s Heart. Founded in 1996, Save a Child’s Heart (SACH) aims to improve the quality of pediatric cardiac care for children in developing countries who suffer from heart disease and do not have access to proper medical care in their home countries. Simultaneously, SACH is working to create pediatric cardiac centers in these countries, so that one day, these children and others like them will be able to be treated in their home countries. Since its creation, over 3400 children from over 46 countries have benefited from the work that SACH does.

The second cause is Mpoma Community HIV/Aids Initiative, which was founded in 1999. It has since developed into a major force in the community, developing programs focused on education, food security, health, livelihoods, and orphan care. In 2002, the Initiative founded a primary school providing youth in Mpoma with access to education and a safe environment for them to learn and prosper.

We had over 150 students in attendance and were able to raise over $2,000 for these two fantastic organizations. The night consisted of carnival games, food, coffee, a raffle, and a date auction. Booths were set up to explain the missions of each of the benefiting organizations and to promote each of our student groups.

Since the event, we have gotten very positive feedback. This was the best of our four Achy Breakys, and enabled two groups of students to unite for a common cause. GlobeMed at UCLA and Bruins for Israel now have a fantastic relationship and look forward to working together in the future.

The event was covered by the Daily Bruin and UCLA’s Jewish News Magazine Ha’am.