Help Sarah get a Master's in Public Health

Hi, My name is Monica Allen and I am fundraising to help my good friend, Sarah Zarzynski, get a Master of Public Health degree.

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Sarah is a 41 year old breast cancer survivor who went back to school during the Covid-19 pandemic and is hoping to get a Master’s in Public Health (MPH). She was accepted into the University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health (a top 10 program!), but needs help to afford to follow this dream.

Sarah was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 35. She had chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and multiple surgeries. She continues to be immunocompromised because of this treatment and ongoing medication therapies.

When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, Sarah was unable to continue working in her career in veterinary nursing because she is high-risk and had to isolate at her oncologist’s instruction.

Watching the pandemic unfold, Sarah developed a passion for public health – inspired by a dear friend and “public health superhero” who has tragically passed away. She decided to use the time of isolation to go back to school virtually and pursue a path in public health. Sarah finished a BS at University of Wisconsin in October 2022. She has also been a key volunteer and policy advocate for a national nonprofit advocacy group focused on pandemic memorialization, health equity, and accountability.

Sarah’s dream is an MPH in Public Health Policy, and the University of Minnesota program is available fully online which is key. But between ongoing medical expenses, previous tuition, isolation, and having very limited income – the financial strain of the past several years has been immense.

Cancer and Covid have had a significant impact on Sarah’s life, and she wants to use her diverse strengths and lived experiences – professional and personal – to improve public health. Please help her afford to continue her education and get closer to achieving this goal.

Besides being a public health advocate, Sarah is an animal lover with a background as a veterinary nurse and certified veterinary rehabilitation therapist. She enjoys nature, bird watching, gardening, and almost any outdoor activity – from hiking to kayaking to skiing, and she is even a triathlete.

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Budget/Goal: Year 1

Academic expenses –

Tuition: $1,000 per credit (2-3 credits per course, 1-3 courses per semester)

= $9,000

Books and supplies: $500 per semester x 2

= $1,000

Total: $10,000