The Brown chapter of the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity donated more than $20,000 for pediatric cancer treatment and care, Hasbro Children's Hospital announced earlier this month. The Beta Rho chapter has raised just over $38,000 in the past two years as part of its ongoing campaign, "Creating an Environment for a Cure."
Devin Cohen '09, a member of the fraternity, started the campaign in 2008 and worked to bring attention to current patients, who are "often left behind in the not-for-profit world," Jeremy Ader '12, the campaign's current director, wrote in an e-mail to The Herald.
The recent donation by the fraternity will be used to provide young patients with electronics such as video games, DVDs and computers to make their treatment more comfortable, Ader wrote.
"With the almost $21,000 raised last spring, we were able to completely fill the Pediatric Oncology Center's wish-list which included a Wii fun center, video games, movies and a fish tank, which will fit right with the Center's underwater theme," Ader wrote.
In addition to the video games, films and fish tank, Alpha Epsilon Pi was also able to purchase equipment for patients including a DynaVox tool that allows patients who are not able to speak to communicate with their doctors and Snoezelen lighting to relax infants and young children.
Susan Roux, chief development officer of the hospital, wrote in an e-mail that some funds were also set aside to allow the nurse manager to purchase new, colorful IV poles.
The fraternity raised the money through silent auctions and raffles, with help from stores throughout Providence. The fraternity also raised money privately with the help of family and friends, Ader wrote.
"Our fraternity is absolutely thrilled to watch firsthand as the impact of Environment for a Cure spreads beyond the waiting room into the exam rooms," he wrote. The fraternity places a strong emphasis on the value of community, "a value that reaches far beyond the walls of Marcy House," he wrote.
For this year's campaign, Alpha Epsilon Pi hopes to involve other chapters of the fraternity while continuing its local chapter's fundraising.
"We hope that the brothers will continue to bring awareness of the hospital to their families, friends and community and continue to raise these important funds that provide a lasting impact on children and their families in their time of greatest need," Roux wrote.
