Tash Mahnokaren

Staff Writer

The ISU Friends of Irish Studies club sponsored its 5K Fun Run on Saturday, March 15.

This event was made possible through the joint efforts of the community club and several local doctors.

Titled “Cuimhnigh Orm”, which translates to “remember me” in Irish, the run was a fundraiser for dementia and Alzheimer’s research.

The course for the run began at Reed Gym and extended throughout the ISU campus grounds.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. There is currently no cure for the disease.

410 individuals died in the state of Idaho in 2010 as a result of Alzheimer’s disease.

Statistics from the Alzheimer’s Association show that in 2010, 37 percent of the population in Idaho was affected by this condition.

This number is predicted to increase to 68 percent by 2020 and 100 percent by 2025.

Merchandise was also sold at the event to help the club raise funds for its cause.

The ISU Friends of Irish Studies club is a fairly new club on campus.

It formed last semester and now has a total of about 15 members.

Passionate about the club, its members are continuously working to recruit more members.

They also would like to have the ISU community appreciate the marvels of Irish culture.

The club also works in tandem with the community club, called Friends of Irish Studies Idaho, in Pocatello.

“In the future, we are hoping to host an event that will feature Irish dancing, Irish food and information about Irish culture, including Irish sports such as hurling,” said Karee Garvin, co-president of ISU Friends of Irish Studies.

Garvin also mentioned that the club hopes to make the above-mentioned event free to all ISU students.

In conjunction with the community organization, the club is also working to raise funds to better facilitate the presence of the Irish culture in the ISU community.

“We are also working to raise money to send students to an intensive Irish language program in Ireland,” said Garvin.

Through this trip, students will be able to develop a deeper understanding of the Irish culture.

“We also currently offer Irish language courses, and funding may also go towards paying the instructor,” said Garvin.

“We hope to continue similar kinds of activities and fundraising in the years to come,” Garvin continued.

Anyone interested in joining ISU Friends of Irish studies can visit the group’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ISUIrishStudies.

Those interested can also contact the club’s secretary at ude.usinull@hcimteub for information.