In 2005, the Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) was chosen to be one of Sigma Chi’s preferred charitable organizations. Founded by significant Sigma Chi alum Jon M. Huntsman Sr. , HCI is dedicated to finding the causes of cancer, developing new and better treatments, and preventing people from ever developing cancer.

Founded in 1934, Derby Days has become Sigma Chi’s largest fundraiser, and Sigma Chis across the country have raised over $2 million since.

Derby Days is a week-long fundraising event that pits the sororities against each other in a series of events. Sororities earn points throughout the week for participation and generosity, and at the end of the week the sorority who succeeds in winning the most points is crowned Derby Days Champion!

Derby Days has two types of events: Fundraising and point-based competitions. These events are spread out over a five-day period.

Fundraising competitions enable sororities to raise their charitable donations. From collecting online to on-campus, sororities compete in events such as “Dunk-A-Sig” where they buy balls to sink Sigma Chi brothers into a dunk tank; “Coins for Cash” requires them to collect as much loose change as possible and attempt to fill an entire jug by the end of the week. These are just a couple of examples.

As a way to further broaden our outreach, new aspects are being incorporated such as “The Blues Jean Bar Pop Up Shop” to expand our fundraising efforts into the larger Boston community, and the “BU Derby Race” that takes off of the Kentucky Derby races. At the end of the week, the sorority who successfully collects the most cash and points wins the Derby Days title!

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Derby Days Schedule of Events: April 9-13, 2012

Mini-Game Competitions:

• Coins for Cash (Monday-Friday)
• Online Donations (Monday-Friday)
• Letter Check-Ins (Monday-Friday)
• foursquare Check-Ins (Monday-Friday)
• Assassins (Monday-Friday)
• Tag A Sig (Wednesday)

Wednesday, April 4th, 2012:
Coach Selections
CAS (Room TBA)
5:00 pm – 5:45 pm

Monday, April 9th, 2012
Tug of War
BU Beach
4:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Tuesday, April 10th, 2012
Dunk Tank
GSU Plaza
9:00 am- 5:00 pm
Buying balls begins at 9 am and continues throughout the event; Dunk tanks are from 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm.

Wednesday, April 11th, 2012:
The Blues Jean Bar Pop Up Shop
GSU Alley
11:00 am – 5:00 pm

Thursday, April 12th, 2012:
Scoozi Restaurant Food Challenge
9:00 am – 12:00 am (midnight)

Friday, April 13th, 2012:
BU Derby Race
Track and Field Center
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Derby Queen Pageant
Law Auditorium
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

HCI was chosen as a Sigma Chi preferred charity because many Sigs and their families have been directly affected by cancer, the second leading cause of death in the United States.  According to the American Cancer Society, men have an approximate lifetime risk of 1 in 2 developing the disease; for women, the risk is 1 in 3.

MESSAGE FROM THE FOUNDER:

Huntsman Cancer Institute began with the idea that it is possible to defeat cancer.

A notoriously dreadful illness, cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. It strikes regardless of race, socioeconomic status, gender, or age.

Our idea was ambitious and our challenge formidable, but our commitment is steadfast. We have built an institute that unites the world’s best scientists and physicians to conquer cancer.

Our researchers are trailblazers. Their ideas begin with a hypothesis, informed by years of experience, about a better way to approach cancer. They are challenged to think beyond the standard of care that exists today to how their science can raise the bar for the cancer care of tomorrow.

-Jon M. Huntsman

Derby Days brings together the brothers of Sigma Chi and every sorority on campus for a week-long fundraising event.

Derby Days is Boston University’s largest and most successful student-organized fundraiser on campus!

Last year, we broke our record raising over $29,000 in five days. This year, we hope to break our record again and raise $35,000, or more.

Sigma Chi Derby Days is unlike any other fundraiser you have seen before. Its presence on campus is felt by more than just those who participate in it and is recognized by all Boston University students.  As a testament to the popularity and strength of Derby Days, last year it was awarded the Greek-letter life office’s award for Best Philanthropy.

Derby Days is successful because it’s backed by people like you; people who are committed to making a difference in the lives of others.  While it takes hundreds of BU students to make Derby Days work, it is your support which makes our success possible. Without you, students like us would not be able to pull off a fundraiser of this size.  Because of your support, we are able to come together annually for a cause prevalent in all of our lives and go above and beyond expectations every year.

We ask that you join us in our fight. Click the provided link and make a pledge to save a life as part of the 2012 Derby Challenge.  We welcome any amount of monetary donation!

Together we can cure cancer.  Together we can save lives.

]]> http://sigmachiderbydays.org/2012/03/19/make-a-pledge/feed/ 0 makeapledgelong jasonfeldman52 Donate button http://sigmachiderbydays.org/2012/03/16/the-blue-jeans-bar/ http://sigmachiderbydays.org/2012/03/16/the-blue-jeans-bar/#comments Fri, 16 Mar 2012 18:27:45 +0000 Derby Days http://sigmachiderbydays.org/?p=99 ]]> Click here for more information on The Blues Jean Bar: