Half Marathon Fundraiser
Mejo Liao
Help this fundraiser support families in need of medical care and a dream to fund medical scholarships for aspiring physicians. Together we can change lives!
Guatemala City, Guatemala
Population: 1 million
Language: Spanish
Living in Poverty: 60%
Poverty Defined: Earning less than $150 US a month
Mission Facts
Fundraising Goal:
$150,000
Volunteers:
Surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and medical support staff
Impact: The Osborne Head & Neck Foundation (OHNF) delivers life-saving and life-changing surgical care to communities in need around the globe. Through our annual Medical Mission we connect expert volunteer surgeons with those suffering in remote areas of developing nations. Past missions have included Ethiopia, India and Peru.
Our Community Can Make A Difference!
What I Am Fundraising For
I am fundraising to gift two scholarships for the Medical Scholars Program (MSP), a 3-week, life-changing mentorship experience for high school students interested in medicine.
In the summer of 2023, I had the privilege to receive a scholarship to MSP and subsequently became a Medical Intern, where I had the incredible opportunity to shadow ENT surgeons, learn invaluable skills, and even scrub into surgeries. MSP connected me with physicians and mentors who helped me envision a real path forward in medicine — something I never thought was possible.
Growing up, I never quite understood why my mom was so focused on things like diet, exercise, and even skin hydrated. It wasn’t until I joined her on a hospital visit for her chronic condition that I really saw why health was so important to her. There, I witnessed firsthand how the reassurance of a nurse or empathy of a doctor could significantly ease her fears. From that moment, I was determined to pursue medicine, to help people like my mom who navigate life’s challenges with resilience despite illnesses or injuries.
Without family connections in the medical field, I wasn’t sure how to start or if I even truly understood what being a doctor entailed. Participating in the Medical Scholars Program was transformative. I was captivated by the dedication of the physicians I met and inspired by my fellow Scholars. Working with patients, I was continually moved by their optimism, and that summer solidified my commitment to becoming a physician. My experiences made me realize how important it is to provide opportunities like this to students who wouldn’t typically have access to them.
To begin my fundraising journey, I organized a team for the LA BIG 5K in March, rallying students, teachers, and family to run together in support of OHNF. I also wrote an anatomy book for visual learners like myself who want an introduction to medicine. Through sales of the book, I’ve been able to donate over 100 copies to students across the state and raise additional funds for OHNF. To continue supporting aspiring medical students, I tutor essay writing, with all proceeds going directly toward OHNF scholarships. During the summer of 2024, I volunteered in the cadaver and suture labs for that year’s MSP, and I launched Down to Dissect, an organization that introduces lab dissections to students in underfunded schools, expanding access to hands-on science education.
Please make a contribution today. Together, we can change the lives of two students through this incredible program.
I’ve committed to raising $15,000 towards student scholarships in the Medical Scholars Program. With your support we can change lives.
Fundraising
Make A Gift!
Your gift is providing scholarship opportunities for high school students interested in medicine to attend a 3-week, immersive mentorship learning experience. Thank you for your support!
Guatemala Impact Mission
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