Greek Week raises $236K for American Cancer Society

The greek community banded together last week for its annual Greek Week to benefit the American Cancer Society, raising the second-highest donation in Greek Week history.

Members of the greek community competed in Relay for Life, a battle of the bands and a song and dance competition throughout the week, while raising donations from friends and family.

By week’s end, the greek community had raised more than $236,000, an amount second only to last year’s donation, Interfraternity Council President Alexander Fike said.

“Everybody knows someone who has been affected by cancer,” he said. “Cancer is a disease that affects everyone and anyone.”

Greek Week has worked with the American Cancer Society for the past five years and raised more than $1 million to benefit the organization, said Annie Dalby, this year’s director of Greek Week and member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority.

“Philanthropy is part of each chapter’s foundation,” she said. “It’s good for us to come together because it brings us closer to the community.”

The winning team of the week’s competitions was comprised of Alpha Epsilon Pi and Phi Kappa Psi fraternities and Alpha Chi Omega sorority.

“It was very fun. We won by 154.5 points, which was the largest margin of victory ever,” said David Zemon, president of Alpha Epsilon Pi. “We’ve won two years in a row. It’s become a science.”

Zemon said participating in Greek Week brings fraternity members closer together.

“Being president, I got to see what it did on a more personal level,” he said. “All of us became closer friends.”

The greek community learned firsthand about the effects of cancer when cancer survivor Chad Crittenden spoke to them Feb. 23. Crittenden’s right leg was amputated in 2002 because he had synovial sarcomam, a deadly form of cancer. He went on to participate on “Survivor: Vanuatu” in 2005 and has become a public speaker for cancer survivors.

“It was very inspirational because he overcame so many obstacles,” Zemon said.

“To bring in someone who has survived cancer and show the true meaning of this event was very beneficial.”

Fike said the continued success of Greek Week is important to the greek community and its leaders hope for the same support next year.

“This event continues to be a point of pride for the greek community,” he said. “We’ve demonstrated our ability as Spartans in our philanthropic efforts.”