There were so many reasons to admire Sasha. Beautiful, outgoing, intelligent and ambitious, she had it all and a million-dollar smile too. But what I admired most was the kindness and caring she showed to others, never taking for granted the gifts she had been given. As a mentor in the Big Sisters, Big Brothers program, Sasha was set to continue the legacy of volunteerism and devotion to children she had begun in high school.
Sasha passed away after her first semester at Duke from a sudden brain aneurysm. Created in her memory and honor, the Sasha Burakow Touched by an Angel Memorial Fund is officially beginning its fundraising efforts this week. Dividends from the endowed fund will be used to bring the Boredom Busters program to Duke University Medical Center. The program was started in northern Virginia, and is now dedicated to Sasha.
We invite everybody in the Duke community to be a part of this effort. We will be selling raffle tickets and t-shirts on the Bryan Center walkway this week, with more events in the future. To read more about who Sasha was, the Fund and Boredom Busters, please go to www.sashaburakow.com. We encourage you to read the inspiring story behind Boredom Busters, and to contact us if you have any questions or would like to volunteer. We thank you for your support, and look forward to bringing this amazing program to our local hospital.
Jill Isenstadt
Trinity ’06
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