Modern Cyclist Magazine Issue 3, November 2014 | Page 49

charity corner MC Smile like a surgeon By Jared Falcke he Wits Students Surgical Society is a student-based platform for medical students and aspiring medical specialists interested in the art and science of surgery. The Society was started in 2010 with the support and guidance of the Wits Department of Surgery and has since with invaluable student, national and faculty support - flourished into a pioneering society. The Wits Students’ Surgical Society prides itself in the work it does in every aspect which is defined in the society’s objectives. The Society does not charge a membership fee and all social events are paid for by the individuals involved as the society doesn’t believe in a sponsor paying for its member’s entertainment. All projects are done with the utmost transparency and all money donated will either be donated directly to the registered Non-profit organisation or given to the Surgical Society with clear understanding as to where the donations will be used. Members include current Wits students as well as post-graduate interns and surgical registrars. The society is registered as a member of the South African Society of Surgeons in Training (SASSiT), in addition to being one of the founding bodies and members of the South African Students Surgical Societies (SASSS) and the International Association of Student Surgical Societies (IASSS). Among the society’s major objectives of providing insight into a career of surgery and teaching valuable surgical skills, a large portion of the effort is dedicated into community support. This philanthropy culminates in the yearly donation to The Smile Foundation. for the departments specialising in plastic and reconstructive surgery within these hospitals. professionals in training to support a worthy cause. So, what does this enthusiastic group of students do? The society’s relationship with The Smile Foundation gives the opportunity to get involved in the medical side of the Foundation’s outreach, and more rewardingly, the after-effects: smiles. Too often, students in medical training institutions get pulled into a paradigm of impersonal study and focus; fostering a detached but competent behaviour. Here we are able to remind ourselves how the work we may one day do, can bring such joy and change lives. These humbling yet awe-inspiring experiences are invaluable to a society such as ours, filled with future surgical medical professionals. On the last Friday of every month, the Society sends students to the Alexandra Clinic: a primary care facility in the heart of the Alexandra. The students who volunteer, help the single doctor on duty between the hours of 17:00 and 07:00. Here surgical and non-surgical skills are put to good use and members are afforded the opportunity to learn, practise and connect with the community. Personally, the experience serves to realign and bolster the humanity aspect that can so often be lost during the years of late nights and vast quantities of information. The newest addition this year is the Kilimanjaro charity climb. As exciting and intimidating as the prospect of climbing such a formidable mountain may be, the society has been overwhelmed with the response from members. The fact that this excitement has been matched by sponsors (even of a non-medical field) is testament to South African companies’ willingness to help wherever possible. The third initiative is the Momentum 947 Cycle Challenge Ride for a Purpose cycling team. This has become an annual event and generates the most interest and pubic reach. In 2013 alone, the society managed to raise R180 000 for The Smile Foundation sponsoring roughly 11 surgeries for South African children. The society has chosen to, once again this year, ride for a purpose. It always brings great pleasure to medical youth Our team of 20 avid cyclists and fresh-faced newbies, are currently training in The Cradle and fiercely trying to raise funds. Although tenacity in fundraising goes a long way, with a goal of raising an ambitious minimum of R500 000 this year, it must be said that additional sponsors are always needed. To contact the society is as easy as accessing our Facebook page (Wits Students Surgical Society) and messaging us or by email ([email protected]). We believe in a synergy of knowledge, skill acquisition and service to our community. Sometimes it only takes a few students to make a difference but, truth be told, the more support our cyclists get, the bigger we can make that difference! It’s hard to know how to help, even if the intent is there: now you can. The Smile Foundation is a South African nongovernmental organisation with a holistic health care vision for c