Philanthropy

Derby Days

The most basic mission of Derby Day is to serve the community. Since the birth of our Fraternity, Sigma Chis have endeavored to give back to the world. Because Derby Days affords each chapter the unique opportunity to positively impact the community, it is highly publicized. Thus, it is imperative that the actions of each brother during Derby Days reflect our true goals. Let the mission of Derby Days provide the foundation for each event and govern your every action before, during and following Derby Days.

Merlin Olsen Day of Service

The Merlin Olsen Day of Service, held annually on Sept. 15, honors the philanthropic spirit of Order of Constantine Sig, Significant Sig and NFL Hall of Fame member Merlin Olsen, UTAH STATE 1962. The Fraternity encourages its members to honor Olsen, a longtime spokesman for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, by volunteering on this day to improve their communities. Suggested activities include donating blood, volunteering at local schools and cleaning up local public parks.

Children's Miracle Network Hospitals

At the 1992 Balfour Leadership Training Workshop, Significant Sig, Order of Constantine Sig and Pro Football Hall of Fame member Merlin Olsen, UTAH STATE 1962, introduced Children's Miracle Network, now called Children's Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN Hospitals), as Sigma Chi's suggested beneficiary of proceeds from chapter community service projects. CMN Hospitals, an alliance of 170 hospitals and health care facilities across the United States and Canada, generates funds for the children its associated hospitals serve.

Network hospitals treat all types of illnesses, regardless of the family's ability to pay. All financial contributions go directly to the hospital nearest the donor. All Sigma Chi chapters are located within less than 200 miles of a CMN Hospitals affiliate, giving members the opportunity to offer support by raising funds, visiting patients, or assisting with local educational and promotional programs. To find your local CMN Hospitals location, please visit the CMN Hospitals website.

As of April 2012, Sigma Chi alumni and undergraduate chapters have raised more than $6.9 million for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

Huntsman Cancer Institute

At the Sigma Chi 150th anniversary celebration in 2005, the Fraterntiy announced that the Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) was chosen to be one of its preferred charitable organizations, in addition to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. Founded by Significant Sig and Order of Constantine Sig Jon M. Huntsman Sr., PENNSYLVANIA 1959, the Huntsman Cancer Institute is dedicated to finding the causes of cancer, developing new and better treatments, and preventing people from ever developing cancer. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 567,628 Americans will be killed by cancer this year — more than 1,500 people a day. In an effort to cure this epidemic, Huntsman founded HCI to focus on understanding cancer from its very beginnings and to translate this knowledge to safer and more effective treatments. HCI was chosen as one of Sigma Chi's preferred philanthropies 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 in 2 developing the disease; for women, the risk is 1 in 3.

Jon Huntsman has himself given over $350 million toward cancer research, and now challenges his brothers to aid in his efforts.

For more information please visit the HCI website, or contact Lori Kun at (801) 584-5808. The institute's mailing address is 2000 Circle of Hope, Salt Lake City, UT 84112.

As of April 2012, Sigma Chi alumni and undergraduate chapters have raised more than $854,000 benefiting research at the Huntsman Cancer Institute.