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The Holiday Healing Tree is an 18 ft Christmas tree located on the grounds of the University of South Carolina School of Medicine VA campus. Located in the Courtyard near the school’s memorial garden, the tree was donated by The Fuller Family Foundation, partnering with SC Internal Medicine, for the purpose of raising money to support the Kensley Fuller Endowed Scholarship Fund. The scholarship was established by Dr. Sean Fuller, M.D., ’95, and wife Jillian in memory of their six-year-old daughter Kensley or “Keke” -- as she was known -- who passed away four years ago. The Fund currently provides a four-year scholarship of $20,000 ($5,000 per year) to medical students.
Establishing the scholarship has helped the Fullers cope with the devastating loss of their little girl, and through initiating the Holiday Healing Tree Campaign, they hope to help others cope with their grief during the difficult holiday season by providing them with a unique and special way to honor the memory of their loved ones. The campaign will also help the Fuller Family work toward their ultimate goal of making the Kensley Fuller Endowment a full scholarship. Today, most medical students graduate with more than $200,000 of debt. Currently in-state tuition for the USC School of Medicine is nearly $37,000 per year, and out-of-state tuition is $83,000 per year. The Fuller Scholarship is a four-year scholarship, which currently awards a total of $20,000 ($5,000 per year) to students.
Through a gift of just $20, you can purchase a light to honor the memory of your loved one!
The campaign’s goal is to light at least 2,000 bulbs on the tree and to raise $40,000 by December 13, but, in total, there are 4,550 light bulbs on the tree, and the School of Medicine would ultimately love to see each light represent someone’s loved one who has passed.
The campaign will conclude on December 13, culminating with a special candelight memorial service at the site of the tree on the evening of Thursday, December 14, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. During the service the names of each person represented on the tree will be recognized. The Fullers hope this effort will help others experience a little bit of healing themselves, while doing good and providing critically-needed support to medical students.
Your gift will help the Fuller Family achieve their ultimate goal of eventually providing a full scholarship to a talented student. By purchasing a light in memory of your loved one for just $20, hopefully your heart will feel a little lighter this holiday season.
You donation will make a huge impact on a medical student’s life and future. It will also help the Fullers reach their ultimate goal of funding a full scholarship in their daughter’s memory. While the scholarship won’t bring KeKe back, it will keep her legacy alive in a way that she would have wanted. Thank you so very much for your support.
By sponsoring a light in memory of your loved one for just $20, hopefully your heart will feel a little lighter this holiday season.
