“The UMB CURE Scholars Program is a place where you can be yourself. I’ve never had to worry about not fitting in at UMB CURE, because everyone is encouraged to stand out. I’d like to be a doctor of osteopathic medicine. In our society, many doctors would rather focus on a patient’s physical well-being and not so much on their mental and spiritual health, and it’s time to switch it up.”
— Shakeer Franklin, UMB CURE Scholar, Cohort 1
As their senior year of high school draws to a close, Shakeer Franklin and other members of the first graduating class of the UMB CURE Scholars Program are gathering their caps and gowns and looking to the future. After six years of mentorship, hands-on learning, and research opportunities facilitated by UMB CURE, these 17 scholars are now college-bound.
To prepare the students for this next chapter of their lives, UMB is sponsoring a UMB CURE Senior Send-Off Campaign to provide each scholar with a graduation gift to ensure they head to college in the fall with all the tools they need to be successful.
The goal is to raise $1,000 for each scholar to purchase college essentials including bedding, toiletries, laundry/cleaning supplies, dorm décor, electronics, school supplies, and more.