September 9, 2010

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Medical students at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have launched a drive to collect supplies for flood-ravaged Pakistan.

More than 4 million Pakistanis have been rendered homeless from catastrophic flooding that has inundated nearly one-third of the country. The lack of food, clean water and shelter is likely to lead to a wave of diseases such as cholera, typhoid and malaria.

The students are collecting cotton bed sheets in good condition, plastic disposable cups, bar soap, dry packaged foods such as crackers and granola bars, bottled water, juice boxes and dried fruits such as dates, apricots and raisins.

Collection boxes are in place through Sept. 15, 2010, on the UAB campus at several locations in Volker Hall, Blount Hall and the Honors House. Booths will be set up in Hill University Center from noon to 1 p.m. Sept. 7-14 and in the Commons lobby from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 13-15.

Monetary donations may be made via Alicia Battle, University of Alabama School of Medicine Medical Student Services Volker Hall 100, 1530 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294.

The drive is sponsored by the American Medical Student Association, Student National Medical Association, Global Health Interest Group, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Equal Access Birmingham, Medical Spanish Club, Asian-Pacific American Medical Student Association and University of Alabama School of Medicine.

About the UAB School of Medicine

Located at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, one of the South's premier research universities, the School of Medicine is dedicated to the education of physicians and scientists in all of the disciplines of medicine and biomedical investigation.