LEAH GRAZIANO
Special to The Leader
Delta Phi Epsilon hosted “Volley for Kaity” this past Saturday, Nov. 3 in Dodd’s Gym.
“Volley for Kaity” was hosted to raise money for the Lupus Foundation of America, one of Delta Phi Epsilon’s philanthropies.
“One of our sisters, Kaity Coleman, has lupus, so we put on the event for her. It started when she was a student here,” said Julia Haley, a junior childhood inclusive education major.
Coleman was a student at Fredonia before studying at SUNY New Paltz.
She was diagnosed with lupus when she was a senior in high school.
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease which can affect the whole body. Antibodies break down healthy cells, tissues, organs and joints rather than attacking germs and invaders.
“There isn’t a part of the body that is safe, in a sense. Every case of lupus is different,” said Coleman. “Currently there is no cure, but with fundraising to support the cause, we get a little closer each day.”
Aterahme Lawrence, who is the philanthropy chair for Delta Phi Epsilon, planned “Volley for Kaity” this year. She is a senior BFA acting major with a minor in creative writing.
“We began planning it about three weeks ago. Just getting dates set up and renting out the gym, it’s about a three-week process,” said Lawrence. “We definitely discussed it in the beginning of the semester knowing that we were going to plan it.”
The volleyball tournament had nine teams consisting of six to eight players each. It was a single-elimination tournament.
The winning prize for the tournament was a large pizza from DeJohn’s Italian Spaghetti House.
In the days leading up to the fundraiser, students were able to sign up with their teams. There was a $20 team registration fee.
Those who did not participate in the tournament were encouraged to donate $2, which earned them a free raffle ticket for other prizes.
All of the proceeds go to the Lupus Foundation of America.
“It means a lot to me that my sisters continuously care about others and are willing to fight and support to a find cure, said Coleman. “My sisters will forever and always be there for me, on my good days or bad. I can’t thank everyone enough for coming out to this event, sharing their time and supporting the cause.”