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Our Local Philanthropy 

In 2004, our chapter began supporting the efforts of the St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital because of Maya, the four-year old cousin of our then chapter president (Debra Bueto). She was fighting leukemia and our chapter joined her battle by providing financial support. Sadly, Maya lost her young, precious life to this horrible disease.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our chapter created our “Maya’s Gift” fund raising program and we have worked to help prevent others from succumbing to this same fate. Chapter members also annually journey to Memphis to visit St. Jude’s.

At times, this battle has become highly personal for our members.

 

Four-month old Felicity arrived at St. Judes in June of 2017, after tumors were discovered in her skull and spine.  She is currently undergoing aggressive treatment for these tumors. Her mom, Theta Phi Alpha Mandy Baker Hartdegen and her dad, Eric, are keeping an amazing optimistic outlook for their baby girl. #fightlikeFelicity

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Volunteers
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In 2016, Emily Hines from Ponchatoula was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and was airlifted from Children’s Hospital in New Orleans to St. Judes in critical condition. The ground-breaking treatment and support at St. Judes led this vivacious 16-year old to be cancer-free after six months of intense treatment. Emily is the niece of Theta Phi Alpha alumna and Past National President Mari Ann Callais of Hammond. Our chapter supported Emily’s fight by selling t-shirts and bracelets, as well as by providing notes of encouragement. Emily now serves as an ambassador for St. Judes and for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation and is heading to college at Millsaps.

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 “Since my journey began I have received 858 pills of ATRA, 109 doses of Arsenic Trioxide, 4 doses of Idarubicin (the stuff that made me bald), 18 platelets transfusions, 9 blood transfusions, and 1 plasma infusion.” It costs $2.5 million a DAY for St. Jude’s to save the lives of children. “The will to win cannot be beat”

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