Alpha-Rho Tekes Show Support for Local Family

Fraters from the Alpha-Rho chapter at the University of Rhode Island are making a big difference for a little girl and her family.

On December 21, 2015, Josie, a two-year-old girl from Narragansett, Rhode Island, was diagnosed with a Wilms’ tumor at Boston Children’s Hospital. The tumor, the size of softball, was successfully removed on December 24, 2015. Josie has since completed her seven-day radiation treatment and is currently six weeks into her 25-week chemo therapy program, which is taking place at the Jimmy Fund Clinic in Boston. 

To support Josie, Tekes at the University of Rhode Island have committed to fundraising throughout the spring semester. All proceeds will be given to Josie's family to help offset the burden of medical expenses. The idea for the Alpha-Rho chapter to support Josie and her family began with Epiprytanis Daniel Vitagliano and Philanthropy Chair Joe Komitor. 

"I work with Josie's mother, Susan, in Narragansett and have known her for about a year and a half now," says Daniel. "When I heard of Josie's diagnosis, I thought there must be some way for my chapter to help."

Not long after, the Alpha-Rho chapter began a semester-long campaign to raise funds for the family to help pay for medical expenses. They created a GoFundMe page and have held two on-campus fundraisers collecting cash donations. 

The two fundraisers were held on Feb. 23 & 25 with the help of sisters from Delta Zeta Sorority.

"We collected over $500 on campus those two days and our GoFundMe account for Josie is over $2,600," says Daniel.

For upcoming events, the chapter will pair with Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity to collect donations on campus March 8 & 9 in front of the URI Memorial Union from 10am-3pm. They will do the same on March 15 & 16 with help from members of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. 

Details for donation collecting in April are still being finalized. 

Donations to support Josie can be made on GoFundMe.