For Immediate Release

Friday, June 7, 2019

Contact: Jessica Sacco
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Whittier Students Raise Money for Alzheimer Research at MGH

HAVERHILL — Alzheimer research just got a boost in funding thanks to a group of Whittier students.

On May 22, students from the Allied Health Center, Business and Marketing and Culinary Arts shops presented a $7,000 check to doctors at the Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment at Brigham and Women’s/Massachusetts General Hospital.

“We are very grateful and inspired by the funds raised by Whittier Tech students to help support our mission,” said Dr. Gad Marshall, Associate Medical Director of Clinical Trials at the Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment.

In March, Whittier students held a community educational event, which included food prepared by Culinary Arts students, a silent auction and raffle items donated by community businesses.

Organized by Whittier’s health occupation students, the event grew out of the Music and Memory Program they created for dementia patients last year.

The money students raised will be used to pay for transportation for those who volunteer to participate in research from under-served communities. Securing volunteers for research is one of the hospital’s biggest challenges.

“The Whittier Tech students are helping to change the course of Alzheimer’s disease,” said Lenore Jackson-Pope, Co-Director of Primary Care Outreach at the Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment, who also spoke at the Whittier event in March. “The second largest barrier to research, after funding, is having enough participants in studies. The staff and participants at the Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment are extremely appreciative of their partnership.”

Students have also been featured on the Brigham and Women’s Facebook page and its community fundraising page. They are: Allied Health students: senior Allasandra Thompson, of Haverhill, sophomore Vitoria Paiva, of Merrimac, and senior Larissa Havey, of Amesbury. Marketing and Business students: senior Josmell Ramos, juniors Halie Alsariba and Meghan Jegorow, all of Haverhill. Culinary Arts students: juniors Katie Costitta, Khloe Vega and Sydney Stewart, all of Haverhill.

“This is a great addition to a multi-year project centered on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia research,” Superintendent Maureen Lynch said. “Students dedicated countless hours to this effort and the money raised will allow researchers to hopefully move closer to finding a cure.”

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