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http://www.csulb.edu/~d49er/archives...soronity.shtml

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Sorority supports cancer research

Charity: Tri Delta branches out to offer support for cancer research at various hospitals around the country.

By Jack Schneider
On-line Forty-Niner

Cal State Long Beach's Tri Delta sorority is getting involved with Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, participating in both local and national organizations.

Tri Delta collegiate and alumnae chapters around the United States and Canada have been participating in philanthropic events to raise money for cancer research for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.

Tri Delta's CSULB charity event will include an Ultimate Frisbee competition at the athletic field Oct. 18.

"We take all proceeds and donate them to Miller's Hospital," said Taylor Dudley, president of the CSULB Tri Delta chapter. "It's something we have done annually."

The hospital is designed to help children who might not have a chance with surviving cancer, and brings them together with other children.

"Our goal is to cure children from this disease, if a child goes to a doctor and for instance, has a brain tumor and they don't think they have any hope, they will send them to St. Jude," said Cathleen Polenzanni, event marketing representative for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.

Although there is only one St. Jude's hospital, the CSULB chapter has given their money toward local Long Beach hospitals.

"Since there is not a St. Jude's that is in Long Beach, we latched on with Long Beach Memorial," said Whitney Prenger, philanthropy chairwoman for Tria Delta. "We still have gotten involved in St. Judes."

Dudley said the chapter has improved over the years in their philanthropy.

"We have really become more dedicated in the past couple of years," Dudley said. "[The chapter has] learned a lot and we are holding more events."

Last month, St. Jude's Children's Hospital helped Tri Delta put on a Luau at the Newport Dunes, in an effort to raise money and helping out the hospital.

"It was a great event," Polenzanni said. "We raised $50,000 [for the hospital]. Eight Tri Deltas were there helping us out."

Jessica Chapman, staff writer for the Tri Delta executive office said the philanthropy with St. Jude has improved since the sorority began its involvement in the hospital since 1974.

"[The hospital] has been wonderful with working with Tri Delta chapters," Chapman said.

The money used from each of the national sororities has gone towards building a teen room in St. Jude's, Polenzanni said.

One aspect of philanthropy the CSULB chapter is working on is to extend their events to more than just fraternities and sororities. .

"More people are turning out for the events making it extend it just beyond fraternities and groups on campus," Prenger said.

Prenger said the CSULB chapter has gone beyond raising money for local Long Beach hospitals. Last year, Tri Delta invited a girl with leukemia at the Ultimate Frisbee convention.

Prenger said that Tri Delta is the only sorority that hosts multiple events for charity.

"We're the only house that has two philanthropy events," she said "In the spring time we host the King of Kings."

While the CSULB chapter has been active with local and nationwide charities, Polenzanni said that Tri Deltas around the nation keep their support strong with St. Jude's Children Research Hospital.

"The future is unlimited," Polenzanni said. "They have been great in supporting us."

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