MARYSVILLE — For Alexander Larsen, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get a head start on his aspirations of pursuing a medical career as an adult, but he’ll need some help from the community to get there.

Larsen, a 16-year-old sophomore at the Bio-Med Academy at Marysville Getchell High School, has been invited to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine in Houston, Texas, but to afford the tuition for the 19-day program, running from July 19-26, he needs to raise $2,560 by April 22.

“Thousands of high school kids each year get to attend these forums, where they get hands-on training from people on the job,” Larsen said. “If I can go, I’ll get to meet with doctors, ask them questions and watch them perform surgeries.”

Larsen is considering either surgery or dentistry as his adult career fields, and he’s eager not only to learn from medical professionals in the field, but also to earn college credits as part of the program. He’s already begun contacting local businesses, including his family dentist, and has raised a few hundred dollars so far.

Larsen asks those who are interested in contributing to his fund to contact him via e-mail at larsenam777@msn.com, so that he can supply them with the proper forms to fill out.

“I’m really interested in medicine and any donations would be appreciated,” Larsen said. “If I can’t raise the full amount by the April 22 deadline, I’ll return everyone’s money.”

For more information on the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine, log onto www.nylf.org/med/index.cfm.