Students of AMF at Columbia University is one of about 70 chapters of National Students of AMF across the nation. The mission of National Students of AMF is to support college students grieving the illness or death of a loved one. Our chapter consists of:
- A peer-led Support Group, offering college students who are grieving the illness or death of a loved one the opportunity to share their feeli
ngs and experiences with others going through the same experience. The Support Group meets every other week.
- A Service Group, open to the entire campus community, that provides opportunities to raise money and awareness for causes important to chapter members, help others in need, and channel energy toward positive outlets. Originally named for Anne Marie Fajgenbaum—co-founder David Fajgenbaum’s mother, who passed away from a brain tumor when David was in college—and then an acronym for Ailing Mothers and Fathers, our group is now open to all grieving students and the letters AMF are now a tribute to our inspiration. Unfortunately, I [Deaton Jones] have two motivations for starting a chapter at Columbia University. My mother died in 1994 from Adrenal Carcinoma and my father died a little less than 2 months ago from pneumonia and heart failure. In the ongoing aftermath of my father’s recent death, I feel an intense desire for mutual understanding and support. I know there are other students in the Columbia community who have experienced or are experiencing similar feelings of grief. It is an empowering thought to know that I am not alone and that I have peers with whom I can work through this challenging time. So I hope to bring those peers together in an effort to provide understanding support for both others and myself. Students of AMF at Columbia University operates as a subcommittee of the Student Wellness Project (https://www.facebook.com/groups/cuwellness/?fref=ts). The Student Wellness Project is a vital umbrella organization that ensures the functioning of our chapter. It not only helps book meeting space and allows us access to their funds, but also provides general support for our projects and hears updates from a representative at general body meetings.
