Our Crowdfunding Groups
Dear friends,
I’m at it again-- I’m registered to run in the 2018 LA Marathon with Team FSPH! Last year I trained and conquered the first half of the marathon course (“The Stadium”) alongside an incredible group of public health students. I’m excited to run the second half of the course this year (“The Sea”) and train with a new group of emerging public health leaders. With your support, I also hope to exceed my fundraising totals from last year.
Our team is raising funds to support summer fieldwork fellowships for Fielding School of Public Health students. All donations will directly support students' invaluable efforts to improve community health and prevent disease in high-need, under-represented communities. Fieldwork is a critical part of the Fielding School’s graduate programs, allowing our students to transform classroom learning and research into real community impact.
No amount is too small – your gift will help build healthier communities in LA and around the world and train a new generation of public health leaders.
Thank you for your support!
Tracy Hough
Why I Support the Fielding School of Public Health (And Why You Should Join Me!)
All of the funds raised by our team will directly support student fieldwork, allowing students to apply their skills to improve health in communities of great need. Supporting young leaders is important to me as my own personal journey is similar to many FSPH students. I am a first-generation college student and earned my master’s degree by taking one class at a time while working full-time. While pursuing my degree, a fieldwork requirement led me to an organization where I was able to use my talents to improve the lives of people living with and at risk for HIV/AIDS, the chronically homeless -- so many whose voices often go unheard. That first job in public health taught me so much about social determinants of health, health disparities, the importance (and effectiveness) of advocacy, and coincidentally, sparked my obsession with running. I have loved returning to job in a public health environment through my work with FSPH and it has been so meaningful to watch (and support) smart, talented, passionate students learn many of the same lessons and begin their own journey down their public health career path.
As rewarding as a career in public health can be, it comes with great challenges. Many public health professionals, particularly those just starting out in their career or working in community-based organizations, work long hours and are often grossly underpaid. They work in difficult and uncertain environments, on shoestring budgets, and often put themselves in harm’s way to help others. There is a shortage of public health workers in the U.S and around the world. Meanwhile, the current cost of obtaining a public health degree, even at public institutions, can be far out of reach for many students. I am so moved by so many young students who are working to become public health leaders during these difficult times, when public health is under attack on a daily basis. These students persevere—they fight for health equity and environmental justice. They work to change unjust and ineffective policies, to create healthy neighborhoods, and to cure disease. They inspire me every day and I can’t wait to see what they all achieve as they advance in their careers. Please, join me in supporting the next generation of public health leaders and help to make our world a healthier place for all!