The Gamma Xi chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., hosted its first ever St. Jude Walk-a-thon on April 28, as part of a nationwide partnership between the sorority and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

The idea for the event was created at a committee meeting for the sorority, who thought a walk would be a great way to support their newly partnered hospital, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. This is the first year for the walk, but the women of the Gamma Xi chapter hope to make this an annual event: and see it get larger every year. There will be music playing and a drawing to win prizes. There will also be trophies given out to the highest individual fundraiser, the highest team and the highest Greek team.

“We’re very excited for this inaugural year of the event,” Arts & Sciences junior and Delta Sigma Theta president Sineah Young said. “The walk will consist of us coming, representing either yourself or the organization you belong to and showing your support for the research and services that St. Jude provides.”

A facet of the sorority’s “5 point Thrust” principle is physical and mental health, something that the partnership with St. Jude’s and the walk-a-thon will contribute to.

“The event is part of our public service mission,” Young said. “We wanted to make an impact, not just in our community, but also in the nation.”