Phi Theta Kappa Sets Goal of $1 Million for the American Cancer Society
Phi Theta Kappa chapters have brought millions of ideas and resources to
the fight against cancer. Now they are being challenged to raise $1,000,000
for cancer research.
Phi Theta Kappa's 2003-04 International
Officers issued the $1,000,000 Challenge at the recent International
Convention, calling on chapters to continue their efforts to support the
American Cancer Society through the 2004-06 International
Service Program, Conquering Cancer: Continuing the Fight.
The new program is a continuation of the highly successful collaboration
between Phi Theta Kappa and the American Cancer Society in 2002-04.
Actually,
more than one-third of the $1,000,000 goal has already been reached: Chapters
reported an impressive $344,000 in contributions during the 2002-03 academic
year. The portion of that contribution raised during Relay For Life events
earned Phi Theta Kappa an award for being the top
collegiate contributor to the American Cancer Society.
"I'm
here to say thank you," said Gary Streit, chairman of the American Cancer
Society's National Board of Directors, to an audience of members and advisors
during the International Convention. "Take our sincere thanks back to
your colleges and communities - you are helping win the fight."
Streit
praised his collegiate audience for their civic responsibility, and predicted
an even greater success for the partnership in the next two years.
Additional
Phi Theta Kappa contributions will be tabulated from the 2003-04 Chapter
Annual Reports, due at Headquarters this month.
Other statistics
reported in the first year of the partnership:
* 10,214 Phi Theta
Kappa members volunteered their services to the American Cancer Society
or Relay For Life events.
* These people volunteered a total
of 124,339 hours to the fight against cancer.
* A total of 234,269
individuals, cancer patients or their families, were reached and helped
by Phi Theta Kappa's activities.
Chapters continue to be innovative
in their fund-raising projects. New England Regional Officer Deb Pham,
a student at Asnuntuck Community College in Connecticut, suggested a Midnight
Chocolate Madness Hour, with candy sales, during a time when Relay For Life
participants need an energy boost.
Chapters are reminded to
enroll
as Chapters of Service, and report their Relay
For Life activities to be counted in participation totals.
