The Kappa Kappa Chapter of Sigma Chi at the University of Illinois is committed to supporting the Huntsman Cancer Foundation in the most noble of causes, to be the generation to end cancer. We have an ongoing war against cancer at a time when research for cancer prevention and treatment is more critical than ever before. Every year, the Kappa Kappa Chapter of Sigma Chi puts on fall and spring philanthropic events for the students of Illinois to raise money for an inspirational cause.

Jon M. Huntsman, who is a four-time cancer survivor and a brother of the Phi Phi Chapter of Sigma Chi at the University of Pennsylvania, founded the Huntsman Cancer Institute. The Huntsman Cancer Institute is the number-one genetics research facility in the world and will provide more than 100,000 highly specialized cancer treatments to people from all over the world each year.

Sigma Chi at the University of Illinois aims to raise $20,000 each year through our fall and spring philanthropic events to donate to the Huntsman Cancer Foundation. This year’s goal is to raise $1.5 million collectively from Sigma Chi chapters all across the nation.

Our biggest philanthropy, which takes place every fall semester, is called Derby Days. Derby Days is a tradition specific to the Sigma Chi National Fraternity and dates back to the 1930s. It is a week-long philanthropic event that is open to all students at the University of Illinois. Students compete as a team in various competitions each day throughout the week. These competitions include field games such as tug of war, relay races, jousting, volleyball, and a hot-dog-eating contest. There is also a blood drive held during the week in which teams can gain extra points by donating blood to the Community Blood Services of Illinois. This year, Community Blood Service was able to collect 92 pints of blood in one day, enough to save 276 lives.

Throughout the spring semester, the Kappa Kappa Chapter of Sigma Chi typically hosts or participates in one to three smaller philanthropies. This spring, we will be hosting and participating in the Spring Classic Hockey Game. The Spring Classic is a recreational hockey game in which members from four fraternities on campus team up and compete. All proceeds from this game will be donated to our philanthropy, the Huntsman Cancer Foundation. In addition, the brothers of Sigma Chi will be helping to raise money for the American Cancer Society with over 50 members participating in Relay For Life here at the University of Illinois. Lastly, our chapter will be hosting a sand-volleyball tournament this spring to raise additional funds for the Huntsman Cancer Foundation.