The UNMC College of Pharmacy Class of 2009 is looking for people interested in competing in its Omaha’s Got Talent event Sept. 22, proceeds from which will go toward cancer research for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Tess Andersen and her classmates are out pounding the streets for donations and silent auction items.
Andersen and fellow classmate, Cara Bruckman, asked their class to take the event on. The main consideration was the time commitment it would take to pull it off.
“I wanted to get involved with the community and I think it will be a lot of fun,” Bruckman said. “They thought we wouldn’t be able to pull it off, that there would be too much work. We organized it in a way where we just need committee members, and we talked about how helpful it would be to cancer research.”
The students also heard a personal story about the struggle of battling lymphoma.
Andersen at 35, is the oldest in her class and is a wife and mother of two. She knows the struggle for those affected by cancer.
“My dad had stage four non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma when he was 34 years old,” Andersen said. “We were told to go to the hospital to say our goodbyes. I was a teenager. Thankfully, he’s still alive.”
Her father now is 55. His physician calls him a “miracle patient.”
Auditions for the talent show will be held Saturday, Aug. 25 in the Central High School auditorium at 20th and Dodge streets. The cost to enter the contest is $5 per person. Tickets will go on sale in August.
Eighteen to 22 acts will be selected to participate in the Sept. 22 show, which will be at 7 p.m. in the Central High School Auditorium. The cost for tickets to the show have not yet been determined. The most talented act will receive $1,000. All ages and talents welcome.
If you are interested in participating or donating, please go to www.omahasgottalent.com or contact Andersen at 669-2812. Check the Web site for more information on ticket cost and availability.