When passion meets purpose, extraordinary things happen. Gurpaij Tur, a high school junior with a love for sports and a heart for making a difference, recently turned to his younger brother’s favorite game – tennis – to create a meaningful impact. Through an inspiring tennis fundraiser, Gurpaij rallied his community to support the work ACP does to accelerate research. Driven by a desire to create positive change, Gurpaij not only showcased his leadership but also demonstrated how young individuals can harness their strengths to make a lasting difference in the fight against MS.
Gurpaij is a junior at Mills E. Godwin High School’s Center for Medical Sciences, where his passion for science shines. He hopes to attend medical school after high school, aspires to become a doctor, and is deeply interested in research. Gurpaij lives in Richmond, VA, with his family, including his 12-year-old younger brother. His parents, originally from Punjab, India, moved to the D.C. area twenty years ago before settling in Richmond.
In his free time, Gurpaij is an avid participant in varsity sports, with soccer being his spring favorite and swimming taking center stage in the fall. He says it’s a great way to connect with others: “It’s fun; it’s a family environment with your teammates.” His younger brother’s love for competitive tennis sparked the idea of a tennis fundraiser. Their shared enthusiasm for sports provided the foundation and key connections that made the fundraiser a success.
Gurpaij speaks multiple languages. He explains, “I can speak four languages – English, Punjabi and Hindi and while my Spanish is a little weak, I can get by.”
Gurpaij and his family live near ACP’s Chief Scientific Officer, Stephanie Buxhoeveden. Before meeting her, Gurpaij had never heard of MS. He recalls, “When I first met Stephanie, I learned what MS was and I was really surprised. My connection to MS is that I want to research it – I just want to help.” Stephanie also introduced him to ACP.
Gurpaij and his classmate, Meera, are gearing up to participate in the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair. In search of a mentor for their project, Gurpaij turned to Stephanie on his mother’s recommendation. He reached out to her for guidance and Stephanie was happy to help. While the exact focus is still to be decided, he’s particularly interested in exploring the role the environment plays in diseases like MS. Gurpaij shares, “I’m so happy Stephanie let me work with her. The regional competition is in March, and if the project turns out well, I’ll hopefully get the chance to go to the international competition, which would be wonderful.” As part of their work, they’ve been learning the basics of molecular genetics together, even extracting DNA from a strawberry in Stephanie’s kitchen!
“Mentoring Gurpaij and his classmate Meera has been an absolute joy. Their bright, enthusiastic, and curious natures remind me why I fell in love with science and medicine. It’s incredibly rewarding to support them as they build the foundations for their bright futures in these fields.” – Stephanie Buxhoeveden
Gurpaij hosted a tennis fundraiser to benefit ACP’s work to cure MS on October 26, 2024, at the Wyndham Foundation’s Swim and Racket Club. The event featured 27 participants competing in three brackets: U12 Coed (boys and girls under 12), U14 Boys, and U14 Girls (both for players under 14). Each bracket winner received a cash prize presented in the form of a giant check along with a small trophy. Participants paid an entrance fee to join the tournament, with the option to contribute more if they wanted to. The event raised $640, and with a generous donation match from the Hayer Corporation (a trucking company based in Indianapolis, IN) the total grew to $1,000.
What inspired you to raise money for ACP?
“The reason I did the fundraiser was because I felt like giving back. Stephanie taking the time to help me and my partner on this project is great. The least I can do is fundraise and maybe advocate for MS a little bit.”
What was your favorite part?
“Definitely handing out the prizes. I kept the check a surprise and pulled it out from under the table. When I showed it to the kids, they were pretty happy. I took pictures of everyone smiling.”
Gurpaij’s tennis fundraiser beautifully illustrates how passion and purpose can come together to make a positive impact. Events like these play a vital role in advancing ACP’s mission to improve diagnosis, optimize treatment, and ultimately find a cure for MS. If you have a favorite activity that brings people together or a special talent to share, consider hosting your own fundraiser – it’s a fun and meaningful way to engage your community while supporting this important cause. To learn more about organizing an event, visit our website, or reach out to Lindsey Santiago at lsantiago@acceleratedcure.org.
“Anyone – no matter their age – can make an impact by combining their passions with meaningful causes. In my opinion, ACP is an organization that’s still trying to grow, and they need as many funds and as much support as they can get. So, one of the first things we should focus on is providing that support. A special thanks goes to Mrs. Bucks (Stephanie) for all of her help, and of course, to my mom, too. She’s the one who made it all happen.” – Gurpaij Tur
