On Thursday night, the Sigma Chi fraternity sponsored a “Kiss Away Cancer” bar party at the Shelter downtown. Normally, fraternity and sorority sponsored bar parties are held primarily for social purposes, but this event was different because all of the proceeds went to the American Cancer Society.
According to President Ryan Myers, Sigma Chi decided to sponsor the bar party because they are focused on giving back to the community.
“It is important to our members to be men of good character and being possessed of good morals,” said Myers. “It seemed like the right thing to do to support an organization like Colleges Against Cancer. After all, I know my mother is a survivor against cancer, so on a personal level I was more than willing to help this organization out.”
Colleges Against Cancer promoted the event to ensure that as much money was raised as possible, but could not throw the party themselves since they are a DU sponsored club.
The bar party lasted from 9:45 p.m. to 2 a.m. and was open to all DU students ages 18 and older. Sigma Chi provided the buses, and SoCo clubs and the Regis Group donated the venue.
To go along with the theme, guests were instructed to “be kissable” and wear red, pink or white.
There was also a balloon drop at midnight with 300 red, pink and white balloons dropped from the ceiling onto the dance floor.
There were 350 people who attended the party, and $1,600 was raised for the American Cancer Society, which includes a generous donation from the SoCo clubs and the Regis Group. The cost to attend the event was $5 in advance and $10 at the door.
Myers said the event was a major success with the exception of the bad weather, which may have deterred some students from coming.
DU’s chapter of the American Cancer Society’s Colleges Against Cancer designed and sold T-shirts in coordination with the event to promote their “Kiss Away Cancer” theme for February.
CAC will be on the Driscoll Bridge later this month handing out facts about cancer and treats in the form of preventative foods like dark chocolate and almonds.
“The mission of Colleges Against Cancer is to raise awareness and support for cancer research,” said Kat Walsh, president of CAC.
There are more than 50 college chapters nationwide.
Colleges Against Cancer coordinates several promotions throughout the year to encourage the practice of overall healthy lifestyle choices. In the fall, they sold “Think Pink” T-shirts and covered the campus in pink ribbons for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For their October theme, “Scare Away Cancer,” they passed out scary cancer facts and treats on the Driscoll Bridge.
In April, CAC plans to co-sponsor a dodge ball tournament with the Tri Delta sorority to raise more money and awareness about cancer.
Also, During DUPB’s May Days event, they will give out facts about skin cancer with free sunscreen and treats.
“People our age need to understand that they can take action to prevent themselves from getting burned, which will decrease their chances of getting skin cancer,” Walsh said.
The largest event that CAC sponsors is Relay for Life, which will be held on Saturday, April 29 through Sunday, April 30.
It will take place on Driscoll lawn and will last all night. There will be free food, music, contests and events.
Walsh hopes to have as many teams as possible participating in Relay for Life so that money can be raised for cancer research.
Teams can sign up and find out more at www.acsevents.org/relay/co/denveru.
Last year, CAC raised over $9,000. They have raised a little over $2,000 so far this year and hope to double last year’s proceeds for Relay for Life. Their goal is to raise $20,000 for cancer research by the end of this year.
Lung cancer is the most fatal type of cancer, yet nearly 23% of Americans continue to use tobacco. Skin cancer is the most prevalent type, with over a million new cases reported in 2005.
For more information and specific facts about cancer, visit http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PRO/content/PRO_1_1_2002_Fact_Sheets.asp?.
