United for Cures unveils downtown Cedar Rapids mural highlighting medical research
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United for Cures unveiled the Iowa For Cures mural Saturday morning in downtown Cedar Rapids.
CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA —A new public mural in downtown Cedar Rapids is meant to do more than brighten a wall , it’s designed to keep attention on the urgency of funding lifesaving medical research
United for Cures unveiled the Iowa For Cures mural Saturday morning. The artwork, now on display downtown, is the first public mural of its kind for the United for Cures organization and is intended to highlight the importance of investing in medical research, clinical trials and treatments families across the U.S. rely on
Mural artist Ryan Sarfiti said the design centers on unity. “The hands coming together, just unity, community, and united for a single cause,” Sarfiti said. “The geometric shapes kind of signify the individual’s kind of coming together on the wall.”
Sarfiti, who said he has done projects for FIFA and Ad campaigns, said this mural carried special meaning. “The difference with this one is there’s actually intention behind it and a good cause,” he said. “So, this does kind of mean a lot more to me, hearing these families speak, hearing their stories. This mural just seems a little bit more impactful than usual.”
United for Cures leaders said the mural comes as the federal government assesses changes to critical research funding, prompting advocates to emphasize what they call an urgent message
“Cures can’t wait and that’s why we need to make sure that congress keeps the pressure to make sure that dollars are getting out to researchers who are working on creating cures and treatments, because no one can wait when their facing a diagnosis,” said Erika Sward, executive director of United for Cures. She urged people to contact elected officials at all levels. “Talk to your elected officials whether it’s in Washington or Des Moines, and Mayors to say look I need treatments, I need cures; and we all have to do that together,” Sward said. “It’s one of the few things that we have right now as a nation that unifies all of us.”
For families who have benefited directly from research, the mural is personal
“My son has actually participated in drug trials when he was starting at the age of two, and just the confidence in knowing that was safe and that it was well funded,” said Jaci Strube, a parent of a medical research participant. Strube said her son received a treatment quickly. “To see something like that get into his hands so quickly by the age of six, and frankly save his life, has been a huge impact for us,” she said
Strube said the mural reflects collective effort. “The mural means to me a great representation of everyone coming together to make things happen, like what had happened for my son; and I’m excited to show it to him when I get home,” she said. “It’s beautiful and it’s kind of cool to see it’s right here in Cedar Rapids.”
The Iowa For Cure mural is located at 301 5th Ave. Southeast in Cedar Rapids
