This past Sunday morning, Alpha Phi hosted a red dress brunch to raise funds for the Alpha Phi Foundation. Members of the Alpha Phi sorority wore red dresses in support of the Alpha Phi Foundation.
According to the President of Stevens’ chapter of Alpha Phi, Nadia Hoellrigl, the Alpha Phi Foundation “supports women and women’s heart health” and the red dress brunch is an event to bring friends and family together for the foundation.
Founded in 1956, the Alpha Phi Foundation was created to make a difference “in Leadership, Women’s Heart Health, and Heritage through both scholarships and grants.” Hoellrigl told The Stute in an email that “for the last 30 years, the Foundation has awarded what is called the Heart to Heart Grant. This is a $100,000 grant awarded to fund research and educational programs that advance women’s heart health and cardiac care.” Yale University School of Medicine received the award this year and used their earnings to fund a study that will help inform women of the number one preventative therapy against heart disease.
In addition to raising money, the Alpha Phi Foundation also dedicates time to raising awareness about the specific risks that women face. Education is one of the most important facets of preventing cardiac-related deaths, as almost 90% of risk factors can be prevented through a change in lifestyle. The red dress brunch is an example of their efforts.
Between raffles, silent auction sales, and tickets, the brunch successfully raised over $5,000, according to Hoellrigl. The event featured a keynote speaker, Dr. Julie Vernon-Gart. Gart, who is a cardiologist and mother of a sister in Alpha Phi, spoke to attendees and detailed that women’s heart health is very different than men’s heart health. Vice President of Community Relations Elsi Rama, Director of Philanthropy Shannon Maroney, and Red Dress Chairwoman Julia Servidio all worked tirelessly starting in Spring 2018 to plan the brunch event. According to Hoellrigl, “Alpha Phi is extremely proud of this successful event and is looking forward to making it a tradition for years to come. The team expects next year to be even bigger and better!”
The continuous and undying efforts of organizations such as the Alpha Phi Foundation have brought awareness to the risks of heart disease in women. Far more women today are learning and understanding the risks, and Alpha Phi Foundation and Society are doing their part, one red dress brunch at a time.
Be First to Comment