Shakeer’s Story

 

Find out more about the UMB CURE Scholars Program.

Support UMB CURE Scholars

Shakeer Franklin, a seventh-grader at Franklin Square Elementary/Middle School, admittedly “was being a very bad me” before joining the UMB CURE Scholars pipeline program for health care careers.

Once disruptive and inattentive, he now embraces science and strives for straight A’s as CURE’s Scholar of the Year. Raised amid gunshots in West Baltimore, “Shaq” sees a brighter future “because I’m going to be one of those to make it better.” The UMB CURE Scholars Program identifies promising middle school students in Baltimore and prepares them for health care and research careers through hands-on workshops, lab experiences, and mentorship.

UMB CURE Scholars | Transforming lives in West Baltimore

The UMB CURE Scholars Program is positioned to transform the West Baltimore community. Your support will enable the program to touch more lives and change the trajectory of children growing up in poverty and in vulnerable situations.

Your generous donations can support the following:

There are a variety of ways you can donate to the UMB CURE Scholars Program. All donations are tax-deductible, and all donations are greatly appreciated.

Monetary Donations

Your financial gift directly supports program enrichment and necessities for scholars such as field trips, clothing, food for scholar families, transportation for mentors and scholars, educational technology, school supplies, and hygiene kits.

Your gift of $1,250 funds:

  • One trip to a conference for a scholar or a mentor. Your support pays for airfare, food, lodging, and registration, sending scholars and mentors to important conferences in the field of cancer research.

Your gift of $1,000 funds:

  • 25 tickets to the National Aquarium in Baltimore
  • 40 tickets to the Maryland Science Center
  • 70 tickets to the Maryland Zoo
  • 100 mentor T-shirts
  • 65 Thanksgiving turkeys for CURE Families

Your gift of $500 funds:

  • Transportation = two buses for science enrichment field trip
  • Maryland Science Olympiad supplies for one school
  • 50 mentor T-shirts

Your gift of $250 funds:

  • Maryland Science Olympiad membership fee for one school
  • 25 Mentor T-Shirts
  • 1 Chromebook with case for scholar

Your gift of $100 funds:

  • Supply cabinet with lock for one school
  • Van transportation cost for mentors to travel to scholars’ school
  • 10 mentor T-shirts
  • School supply kits for scholars ($50 each)
  • Hygiene and grooming supply kits for scholars ($50 each)
  • 1 Kindle Fire ($50) and case ($20)

School Supplies for Scholars

  • Backpacks
  • Pencils and pens
  • Spiral notebooks
  • Calculators

Seasonal Supplies for Scholars and Families

  • Coats
  • Gloves
  • Holiday meals and gifts