Miami resident Austin Gaines’s immersion into medical philanthropy began as a teenager, a time of life when people are generally more worried about finagling allowances than donating to medical institutions.

Now 22 years old, when Gaines was 13 he took $5,000 he’d received in bar mitzvah gifts and raised another $10,000 to start the Joan G. Gaines Breast Cancer Fund in honor of his mother. Joan Gaines is a ten-year breast cancer survivor.

The beat also goes on for her son, who continues to organize events that raise money for breast cancer awareness. In fact, after earning a bachelor’s degree in business management and organization from the University of Miami in May, Austin Gaines became a professional fundraiser. After graduation he accepted a position as capital campaign coordinator for Camillus House in Miami.

A fundraising event has to be “fun and interactive” in order to attract young philanthropists, according to Gaines. As an example, he cites an event he put together where the wives of Miami Heat players participated in a fashion show, and raffle tickets for a new Lexus were sold.

Education is also key, Gaines says. “I think it needs to be explained to young people why medical philanthropy plays such an important role in our community.”

A young man whose most profitable event to spur breast cancer awareness generated $65,000 and who has raised more than $200,000 toward that cause, Gaines plans to eventually own a fundraising consulting firm.