U of M Healthcare Outreach Program and Events (HOPE) is having a bake sale on Oct. 13 and 15 to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The bake sale will take place in front of the Science Students’ Association lounge at 209E Armes from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. All proceeds will go to Helping Hands for Manitobans with Breast Cancer Inc.
Raeesa Hoque, HOPE events coordinator, said the bake sale will include an assortment of treats with ingredient lists available for students with dietary needs or restrictions.
Beyond fundraising, the bake sale also aims to raise awareness about local organizations supporting people affected with breast cancer. Hoque said brochures from Helping Hands for Manitobans with Breast Cancer Inc. will be available at the table, allowing students to learn more about the organization without having to make a purchase.
The event also provides an opportunity for students to discover ways to get involved in their community.
Fatin Shadab Talukder, UMSU director for HOPE, explained the idea behind the event. “Students are always in a rush […] A bake sale is really easy for students to purchase something,” he said. “A bake sale is a good way to provide them with that energy. It’s all homemade, right? It’s all made with care, love and good ingredients.”
HOPE is a student-led outreach and fundraising group that aims to educate and inspire students about healthcare careers. As a new club, they are hoping to reach more students with the bake sale.
“Take a piece of HOPE with you,” Hoque said.
Their outreach is offered both in English and French for accessibility and inclusivity across Manitoba’s bilingual community. HOPE also operates at the University of Saint-Boniface, connecting students to healthcare on both campuses.
HOPE’s outreach also includes high school visits. Their last visit was to Sisler High School for a fully French radiology outreach event. HOPE has participated in community initiatives such as Better Blankets for Babies, a collaborative project with the U of M Student-Organized Market Initiative involving fundraising and making blankets for mothers and babies in need.
HOPE plans to introduce students to lesser-known careers in healthcare. Talukder explained that the healthcare field extends beyond traditional professions such as medicine, pharmacy and dentistry.
“Healthcare is more than clinical care,” Hoque added. “It’s not just a one-way path.”
She explained that students pursuing careers in healthcare may sometimes feel discouraged when they do not achieve the academic results they expected. However, hope is not lost, as opportunities are plentiful in healthcare. Hoque recalled learning about medical illustration as a potential healthcare career, an opportunity that surprised her.
“I was like, wow, that’s different,” she said. “There are lots of opportunities.”
Looking ahead, HOPE plans to organize additional healthcare panels and outreach events. As the club continues to grow, Hoque hopes the bake sale will help connect more students with the organization while supporting the wider community.
