Artful giving: pharmacy student goes above and beyond
Because pharmacists are the most accessible healthcare professionals, many people choose that career because they love helping others.
Parinita Verma (Class of 2015 and the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacist [CSHP] Senior Student Representative) is honing her compassion and reaching beyond her role as a future pharmacist, to include philanthropist.
She became involved in the 鈥 a program that maximizes the abilities of children with disabilities 鈥 after hearing positive stories from children and parents participating in the program.
鈥淭he best part is being involved with the children,鈥 she explains. 鈥淭here was one sweet four-year-old girl, Claire, who has Cerebral Palsy and Epilepsy, and is currently on the assessment list for Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) surgery. She has been involved in Easter Seals for about three years and attends their music therapy program, which brings her so much joy.鈥
Ms. Verma has been so affected by the organization that she decided to launch her own fundraiser via her business, Parinita鈥檚 Abstract Paintings, which won the 2012 Provincial Youth Venture鈥檚 Excellence in Artistic Design award.
鈥淚 decided to organize this event for Easter Seals this summer. I鈥檝e donated pieces of my artwork to sell off in an online auction, and all proceeds go to Easter Seals.鈥
The online auction features over 35 of Ms. Verma鈥檚 original art, as well as two paintings by artists Angie Woodman and Radhika Verma (Ms. Verma鈥檚 sister).
鈥淚鈥檝e always been interested in creating artwork,鈥 she says. 鈥淎fter spending six years with the Youth Ventures program with my Henna Body Art Creations business and upon the encouragement of those who appreciated my artwork, especially family and friends, I decided to challenge myself further with artistic design and started my second venture. I love painting because it allows me to connect with my creative side, relax my mind, as well as create artwork that really means a lot to individuals who request and purchase paintings.鈥
Ms. Verma hopes to continue with Easter Seals after she graduates, and hopes to make this year鈥檚 initiative an annual event.
. Auction closes on August 8.