Medical Students Hold 11th Charity Gala to Benefit Brain Tumor Research

Students from the Class of 2021 at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix hosted the eleventh Annual Charity Gala benefiting Students Supporting Brain Tumor Research (SSBTR) on Saturday, February 10.

This year’s gala was themed the Roaring 20s and included a keynote speech from Nader Sanai, MD, dinner, drinks and a silent auction. Attendees were able to bid on two roundtrip tickets to any Southwest Airlines destination, a two-night cottage stay at L’Auberge Sedona and a wine tasting for up to 16 guests.

The gala took place at 7:00 p.m. at the Virginia G. Piper Auditorium, 550 E. Van Buren St., Phoenix.

For the last 11 years, first-year medical students at the college have collaborated with SSBTR to organize and host this special evening. First-year medical student Manroop Kaur, who was a member of the planning committee and chair of marketing and fundraising for the event, said “this is a great opportunity for students, faculty and community members to come together in support of a wonderful cause.”

Students Supporting Brain Tumor Research is the largest student-run, non-profit organization in Arizona. Committed to raising funds for brain tumor research, the organization has raised more than $2.4 million since 2002. Beneficiaries include Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Barrow Neurological Institute, Brain Tumor Society, Translational Genomic Research Institution and medical research at the University of Arizona.

“When I heard about SSBTR, I knew I had to be involved in supporting their cause,” Kaur said. “As a Hospice of the Valley/Ryan House volunteer, I was fortunate to build relationships with some of the strongest individuals who were fighting brain cancer. I have kept those experiences close to my heart and supporting this wonderful organization honors and celebrates those moments. In addition, this charity gala has been a tradition at the College of Medicine – Phoenix since its opening in 2007. As a first year medical student, I wanted to take part in upholding this incredible tradition.”

• Photos from the event.