By JULIA ALBINI
News Writer
This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, make it a Pink Tie Affair. Sigma Lambda Gamma will host their 5th annual breast cancer awareness fundraiser on Oct. 27 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in Plant Hall’s Grand Salon.
The event will feature various raffles, a complimentary dinner presented by Sodexo, and a DJ. In addition, there will be a guest speaker from the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation sharing her personal testimony about her journey battling breast cancer.
Tickets are free, but donations are encouraged. All the money raised will be donated to the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation. Last year, the Pink Tie Affair raised $517. The previous year Sigma Lambda Gamma raised over $800.
Sigma Lambda Gamma member, Celeste Bilkerdyk, said the event has raised over $500 every year since the event began.
“Semi-formals are a great way to get people involved and free food always draws people in,” Bilkerdyk said. “We usually see around 50 guests, give or take. Majority of tickets are sold at the door, and a lot of people just choose to donate. If they don’t have the time to attend, they still make it an effort to put out a donation and support.”
This event is open to the community. Sabrina Schmidt, also a Sigma Lambda Gamma member, said a lot of attendees consist of alumni and event sponsors. The Green Lemon and Chipotle are two of the many sponsors who donate free gift cards along with other raffle prizes.
Bilkerdyk said Sigma Lambda Gamma donates to The Florida Breast Cancer Foundation in particular because they know the money goes specifically towards research.
Because Sigma Lambda Gamma’s philanthropy supports breast cancer awareness, they involve themselves in many activities to support the cause. On Oct. 24 they are volunteering for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer at Amalie Arena to celebrate survivorship and raise money towards research.
Sigma Lambda Gamma works frequently with their sister chapter at USF. The USF chapter has organized multiple events throughout the month to raise money. They will be hosting a car wash on Oct. 18 at Steak ‘n Shake located on Fowler Ave. UT’s chapter will attend to show their support.
“We’re really close with them so they come to our events and we go to theirs,” Schmidt said. “Their chapter is a lot bigger than ours so they can do a lot more and we love to help.”