A ‘hopeful’ fundraiser on campus

Izmir University of Economics (IUE) Social Responsibility Club organized a New Year's bazaar for the benefit of the Association for Quality in Health (SAĞKAL), which carries out many projects for patients, who come to Izmir for treatment from different cities, and their relatives. Handcrafted goods prepared by SAĞKAL Association volunteers were sold throughout the day on campus. More than 300 unique products, such as household items, scarves, berets, and trinkets, attracted great interest of IUE students and academics. All proceeds from the fundraiser were donated to the SAĞKAL Association, which hosts women who are struggling with breast cancer from outside the city, and their relatives free of charge in the House of Hope (Umut Evleri) they established and provide psychosocial support.

IUE Social Responsibility Club was established in 2018 within the body of IUE Vocational School. In a short time, the club grew rapidly with the support of students studying in other departments and expanded throughout the University. IUE Social Responsibility Club, which has carried out many activities for the elderly, the disabled and children in disadvantaged areas, has touched the lives of many people. The club, which also managed to raise funds for themselves through various activities, became a hope for different segments of the society.

Burçin Önder, Director of IUE Vocational School, said that they attach great importance to the work of the SAĞKAL Association. Stating that they hosted the President of the Association, Cüneyt Tuğrul, at the University on March 8, International Women's Day, and that they received detailed information about the activities of the association, Önder said, “SAĞKAL Association has two Houses of Hope in Balçova and Kahramanlar. The third one is also planned to be opened in Bornova. The association has provided 10,500 nights of accommodation to 250 women who have come to Izmir for treatment from outside the city so far. We attach great importance to these works. For the continuity of this kind of work done for patients and their relatives, young generations need to be raised and become a part of the association, even if it is voluntary. Our students also created an important awareness in this respect with the fundraiser they organized.”

PROJECTS WILL CONTINUE

Stating that they will continue to be involved in such projects in the coming period, Simay Çöldür, a student of IUE Department of International Trade and Finance and the President of the Social Responsibility Club, said, “We have created a strong synergy with fellow students at the University. We often get together and discuss the projects we plan to implement. Our academics also support us. The club's advisor academic is Fatma Esra Uz. She also provided us with great support in every sense, she was always by our side. I can say that we have created a strong energy in the University in this sense. SAĞKAL Association has proven itself with the work it has done so far. It has conducted many studies on the awareness of breast cancer, which is the most common type of cancer in women. Being able to support them, even for a little bit, made me and all my friends happy.”