Regis University to Host Guatemalan Baby Shower on Feb. 24
Fundraising Event Aims to Support Medical Supplies for Cobán, Guatemala
A group of undergraduate Regis students will be in Guatemala from May 6-13 to assist local healthcare workers and provide healthcare education in the town of Cobán. Led by Regis alumna Dr. Lauri Pramuk, and a team of healthcare providers, the project empowers Regis students to serve and learn from marginalized communities. A number of students in pre-healthcare areas of study will run a primary care clinic in Cobán, rotating through triage and shadowing physicians.
A Guatemalan Baby Shower information session and fundraiser at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24, will provide the Regis community with an opportunity to donate supplies and funds for the project. This year’s baby shower will be held at the St. John Francis Regis Chapel and will include a silent auction featuring items such as area restaurant gift cards, wine baskets, aged bourbon, NBA tickets, and Denver Botanic Gardens tickets. Additionally, Regis is partnering with Project C.U.R.E., which is providing medical supplies. The supplies, which will cost $30,000 to ship to Cobán, will support the initiative. In previous years, the fundraiser collected medical items for new babies born in the community. These medical kits include nasal aspirators, saline, thermometers, infant nail clippers, cloth diapers, as well as pediatric medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen. The items cater to the needs of impoverished families, particularly single moms and young children, living near a municipal dump.
"We deeply appreciate the generosity of our Regis community, and we're elated to have Project C.U.R.E. as our partner this year. The mission our students are undertaking holds the power to make a meaningful impact on numerous families in Cobán facing urgent healthcare needs," said Dr. Pramuk.
This year, Regis University’s Global Health Pathway program, part of Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions, will send a group of graduate healthcare students from the physical therapy and pharmacy programs to the same clinic. These Regis outreach experiences in Guatemala help future healthcare professionals understand the rewards of careers that serve marginalized communities.
Since partnering with Regis, the Cobán community has constructed a clinic containing three exam rooms, a dental room, pharmacy, and waiting room. They are also completing a building that will house a physical therapy/rehab area and a laboratory. The clinic specifically needs help equipping the lab and providing resources for physical and occupational therapy.
To learn more and to donate, visit Project C.U.R.E. donation page. To donate baby supplies, please visit their Amazon wish list.