Winter 2009 [pdf] - University of Kentucky - College of Pharmacy

Glasscocks Kickoff
Quarterbacks for Kids
Pharmacist-Led Program is a Touchdown for Kentucky’s Sickest Children
University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy alumni
Tobi and Scott Glasscock of Danville know their
pharmacy colleagues are compassionate, giving
people. But they also know most of them have
demanding schedules that prevent them from volunteering
in their communities. So they developed a unique fundraising
program that allows them to make a difference without
leaving the pharmacy.
With the support of the their employer, Walmart, the
Glasscocks established Quarterbacks for Kids, a program
benefitting the Pediatric Drug Fund at Kentucky Children’s
Hospital through the Children’s Miracle Network. Just a few
months into the program, they already have set a goal of raising
$150,000 in their first year. “Pharmacists have big hearts, they
just don’t have the time and flexibility in their schedule outside
the normal scope of their job to be involved in volunteer
programs,” Scott Glasscock said. “We’ve already seen tremendous
support from pharmacists who have really gotten involved
in their stores and even challenged other Walmart stores in
neighboring communities in fundraising competitions.”
The Quarterback for Kids was launched during the
beginning of the 2008 fall football season with a kickoff of the
program during the UK versus UofL game. Containers were
set out in Walmart pharmacies encouraging customers to
donate extra change when purchasing their prescriptions. The
program has expanded to offer customers the opportunity
to buy a card replicating a football with their name printed
on it that is displayed in the pharmacy. Soon the Glassocks
hope debit and credit card scanners in Walmart stores will
give a prompt to add a donation to purchases. “The program is
continuing to evolve as we are learning different strategies to
provide people ways to give,” Scott Glasscock said.
Matching the Money to the Cause
When the Glasscocks joined the University of Kentucky
Fellows Society they worked with Caroline Barrow, special
assistant to the dean for philanthropy at the UK College of
Pharmacy, in finding a way to designate their financial gift to
“something close to their hearts”. They decided to give their
support to the pediatric drug fund directed by UK pediatric
pharmacist Bob Kuhn.
The Pediatric Drug Fund is part of the UK Department of
Pediatrics and provides financial support for several projects
including clinical medication studies at the Children’s Hospital
and for research in pediatric medication safety issues that will
benefit both patients in the hospital and provide education in
communities, said Kuhn.
“I can’t imagine any greater stress than to have a sick
child that needs medical care,” said Tobi Glasscock. “We are
fortunate to have healthy children and have even found this
to be a great way to teach them about giving and the need to
help others.”
(continued on page 9)
“Pharmacists have big hearts,
they just don’t have the time
and flexibility in their schedule
outside the normal scope of
their job to be involved in
volunteer programs,”
-Scott Glasscock
UK pediatric pharmacist Bob Kuhn visits with Kentucky
Children’s Hospital patient Allison Vassil.
10 Focus on Pharmacy