Huntsman Cancer Foundation
On April 12, 2013, Sigma Chi members presented the one-millionth dollar raised for cancer research at Huntsman Cancer Institute to Significant Sig and Order of Constantine Sig Jon Huntsman Sr. In December 2012, Sigma Chi designated the Huntsman Cancer Foundation as its sole preferred philanthropic partner.
Founded by Huntsman, the Huntsman Cancer Institute is dedicated to finding the causes of cancer, developing new and better treatments, and preventing people from ever developing cancer. Huntsman founded HCI to focus on understanding cancer from its very beginnings and to translate this knowledge into safer and more effective treatments. HCI was chosen as Sigma Chi’s preferred philanthropic partner because many Sigs and their families have been directly affected by cancer, the second-leading cause of death in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, men have an approximate lifetime risk of 1:2 for developing the disease; for women, the risk is 1:3.
For more information please visit the Huntsman Cancer Institute’s website.
Derby Days
The Huntsman family has donated more than $400 million to cancer-related initiatives since the commencement of HCI in 1995. He now challenges his brothers to aid in his efforts through the Derby Days Challenge.
The Derby Days Challenge is a competition between Sigma Chi chapters, and the fraternities and sororities on each campus to raise funds for research at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. The challenge expands the traditional, local concept of a Derby Days philanthropic event to include an international fundraising arm that allows persons physically present for the event a way of contributing to the cause. The Derby Challenge runs annually. Chapter winners are announced at Balfour Leadership Training Workshop, Sigma Chi’s annual summer conference where undergraduate chapter leaders from the United States and Canada convene to learn and practice skills that they can implement at their home chapters during the upcoming academic year.
