Student Promotes Philanthropy for Disease

Broncos take on celebrity-sponsored competitionEryn OlsonTHE SANTA CLARAApril 17, 2014[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n memory of his father, senior David Guibord helped raise over $20,000 for the Santa Clara chapter Hilarity for Charity U, a fundraiser aimed at colleges across the United States to support Alzheimer’s research.“I knew when I saw this Hilarity for Charity event,” said Guibord, “that it was my calling to take action and to spread awareness, not only to everyone, but especially our youth because not many people are aware of how horrible this disease is.”The Santa Clara team finished the competition strong last Friday, raising a total of $20,844 and placing second overall in the competition followed by a fraternity from the University of Arizona that raised over $7,500.  A fraternity from the University of Vermont placed first in the overall competition, raising over $27,000.They also won a personal meet-and-greet with comedian Seth Rogen and a special advance screening of his new movie, “Neighbors.” Overall, Hilarity for Charity U raised over $128,500 for the Alzheimer’s Association.Guibord’s father, Jerry, passed away from Alzheimer’s two years ago. He fought the disease from the time Guibord was in seventh grade until his sophomore year of college.“I know from firsthand experience what it is like to watch someone so close to you slowly slip away from reality,” said Guibord.Many people’s lives have been impacted by Alzheimer’s — the sixth leading cause of death in the United States  — including those of Santa Clara students like Guibord. The senior wanted to use this event to specifically speak out about early-onset Alzheimer’s.“It’s a little different for me because everyone says, ‘Yeah, my grandma, my grandmother, my great-grandmother,’” Guibord said in an interview with Eye Bronco. “I say, ‘My father,’ which is obviously not something you hear very often.”The majority of the money given to the Santa Clara chapter came from online donations. Guibord estimated that over 750 people donated to the cause, most of whom were students.Guibord also raised over $3,500 at a fundraising event on Saturday, April 5.  Students purchased $5 purple wristbands for the Alzheimer’s Association, which gave them admission into the event featuring live music and inflatable pools.Guibord set his initial goal at $5,000, which he thought was ambitious at the time.  After the first week, the donation page neared $10,000. His efforts were clearly a success as the Santa Clara group finished by quadrupling that amount in only a month.“It was so cool to watch the money keep piling in, knowing that it was going (toward) a great and very important cause,” Guibord said.Guibord believes people should continue donating to the Alzheimer’s Association, and he encourages Santa Clara students to attend the Walk to End Alzheimer’s in San Jose, Calif. this coming October. Contact Eryn Olson at eolson@scu.edu or call (408) 554-4852.