Greek sorority helps beat the odds
Pageant will raise money for autism
By Stefanie Weber
Issue date: 11/13/09 Section: Focus
Every 20 minutes, parents' lives are changed when they hear the devastating phrase, "I'm sorry, but your child has autism."
More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than AIDS, diabetes, Down's syndrome and cancer combined. Nearly 25,000 children are diagnosed with autism each year, and a new study indicated that autism affects one out of every 91 children, and one out of every 58 boys.
So what can you do to help?
SRU's Alpha Xi Delta (AXD) chapter supports Autism Speaks, the world's largest autism advocacy organization. Autism Speaks is dedicated to increasing awareness of autism-spectrum disorders, funding research into the causes, prevention and treatments for autism and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism, along with their families.
Justina Cerra, 19, is a sophomore exercise science major, aquatics minor and vice president of Programs for AXD. She said her chapter is excited to start a new tradition on campus-Xi Man.
Cerra would like everyone on-campus to join the sisters of AXD in the University Union's Multi-Purpose Room on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 7:30 p.m. for a night of laughter. Male volunteers of SRU will compete as superheroes in costume, talent and question-and-answer sessions for the title of Xi Man to raise money for Autism Speaks, she said.
Melissa McFarland, 20, is a junior public relations major, foreign affairs and political science minor and the vice president of public relations for AXD.
There'll be gift certificates raffled off for Weege's Pizza, Compadres, sweatshirts, candy and others. The cost will be $3 in advance and $5 at the door. Tickets in advance will be sold Nov. 10, 12 and 17 in the University Union lobby, McFarland said.
Melissa Danziger, 20, a sophomore secondary education and history major and the philanthropy chair for AXD, said that Xi Man is all about the charity aspect-and having fun while raising money for autism.
"Autism Speaks is something that is close to our hearts," McFarland said. "It is nice to raise money for a good cause, and to be able to wrap our fingers around a charity and to raise money and awareness to our campus, while having a good time."
More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than AIDS, diabetes, Down's syndrome and cancer combined. Nearly 25,000 children are diagnosed with autism each year, and a new study indicated that autism affects one out of every 91 children, and one out of every 58 boys.
So what can you do to help?
SRU's Alpha Xi Delta (AXD) chapter supports Autism Speaks, the world's largest autism advocacy organization. Autism Speaks is dedicated to increasing awareness of autism-spectrum disorders, funding research into the causes, prevention and treatments for autism and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism, along with their families.
Justina Cerra, 19, is a sophomore exercise science major, aquatics minor and vice president of Programs for AXD. She said her chapter is excited to start a new tradition on campus-Xi Man.
Cerra would like everyone on-campus to join the sisters of AXD in the University Union's Multi-Purpose Room on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 7:30 p.m. for a night of laughter. Male volunteers of SRU will compete as superheroes in costume, talent and question-and-answer sessions for the title of Xi Man to raise money for Autism Speaks, she said.
Melissa McFarland, 20, is a junior public relations major, foreign affairs and political science minor and the vice president of public relations for AXD.
There'll be gift certificates raffled off for Weege's Pizza, Compadres, sweatshirts, candy and others. The cost will be $3 in advance and $5 at the door. Tickets in advance will be sold Nov. 10, 12 and 17 in the University Union lobby, McFarland said.
Melissa Danziger, 20, a sophomore secondary education and history major and the philanthropy chair for AXD, said that Xi Man is all about the charity aspect-and having fun while raising money for autism.
"Autism Speaks is something that is close to our hearts," McFarland said. "It is nice to raise money for a good cause, and to be able to wrap our fingers around a charity and to raise money and awareness to our campus, while having a good time."
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