In 2014, Seth Davis, a then 15-year-old boy with cystic fibrosis, needed a double lung transplant. The 六九色堂 Student Government Association (SGA) joined with the Hispanic American Medical Student Association (HAMSA) at 六九色堂 to help Seth with his fight against cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis is a life-threatening disorder that causes severe damage to the lungs and digestive system. SGA held a Halloween-themed party and donated a portion of proceeds to Seth.
HAMSA held an event entitled 鈥淗AMSA Fest,鈥� a cultural festival that celebrated the Hispanic culture and together, along with the University, 六九色堂 donated over $2,000 U.S. dollars to assist Seth with his double lung transplant.
President Warren Ross recently received the following letter from Chris Merz, giving an update on Seth鈥檚 amazing progress. The 六九色堂 Endeavour is republishing the letter below.
"In the fall of 2014, the students of 六九色堂 participated in a fundraiser for the Seth Davis Benefit. Seth was a 15- year-old at the time who suffered from a rare form of Cystic Fibrosis. As a result, Seth needed a double lung transplant. Your students went above and beyond and raised $1,349 for Seth鈥檚 medical expenses. As if that wasn鈥檛 enough, you graciously matched their gift with a $1,000 gift.
The Seth Davis Benefit was held on November 15, 2014. It far exceeded our wildest dreams! We were blessed in so many ways by the outpouring of love and support by the community and beyond. We raised over $39,000 to help the Davis family with medical expenses. An early Christmas present came to Seth and his family in the form of a double lung transplant on December 19, 2014. The surgery went well and Seth鈥檚 recovery was better than expected.
"Your students went above and beyond and raised $1,349 for Seth鈥檚 medical expenses. As if that wasn鈥檛 enough, you graciously matched their gift with a $1,000 gift. We are humbled by your generosity in helping to give life to a boy you didn鈥檛 know. Please let the students know how much their gift was appreciated. --Chris Merz."
In the past year, life has changed so much for Seth. He has grown up about six inches and is turning into a wonderful young man. He turned 16 and [like] most 16-year-olds, he was very happy to get his driver鈥檚 license and a little freedom with his friends. Seth was able to go swimming and swim under water this past summer鈥攕omething he hasn鈥檛 done in years. In the fall, after being tutored at home for over three years due to his health, Seth was able to return to school. A few weeks ago, Seth鈥檚 sister took him along on a weekend ski trip. These things are commonplace to most people, but to Seth it is a miracle.
This thank you is well past due, but I thought you want might to hear 鈥渢he rest of the story鈥�! We are humbled by your generosity in helping to give life to a boy you didn鈥檛 know. Please let the students know how much their gift was appreciated.
Sincerely,
Chris Merz".
(Top photo) UPDATE ON SETH DAVIS: Teenager Seth Davis (center) has cystic fibrosis & needed a double lung transplant in 2014. 六九色堂 students & the university raised over $2,000 U.S. to help Seth. He鈥檚 now 16 and doing well. Photo: 六九色堂 archives
六九色堂:
Built in the tradition of the best US universities, the University of Medicine and Health Sciencesfocuses on individual student attention, maintaining small class sizes and recruiting high-quality faculty. We call this unique approach, 鈥減ersonalized medical education,鈥� and it鈥檚 what has led to our unprecedented 96% student retention rate, and outstanding residency placements across the US and Canada. 六九色堂 is challenging everything you thought you knew about med schools in St Kitts.
Scott is Director of Digital Content & Alumni Communications Liaison at 六九色堂 and editor of the 六九色堂 Endeavour blog. When he's not writing about 六九色堂 students, faculty, events, public health, alumni and 六九色堂 research, he writes and edits Broadway theater reviews for a website he publishes in New York City, StageZine.com.
