Pieing lupus in the face
SIGMA PSI ALPHA (SPA), a sorority based in Ottawa, has set Nov. 27 as the date when students, friends, and community members can pie sisters in the face to raise money for the Lupus Foundation of Ontario (LFO). The sorority supports the LFO and brings awareness to the common disease, all because of a personal connection to their organization.
“Sigma Psi Alpha is a sorority that was created in 2004 by 11 women, two of [whose] mothers suffered from lupus,” said Nicolette Addesa, philanthropy chair for SPA. “We support the Lupus Foundation because of those women and because lupus is an autoimmune disease that mainly affects young women.”
SPA sisters hope the event, titled “Pie a Sigma Psi,” will build on last year’s success, which saw the sorority raise $750 for the LFO.
“We rented out the whole top section [of Father and Sons] and people can basically throw pies in one of the sisters’ faces,” said Addesa. “It is $3 to throw one pie or $5 to smash a pie. It is a fun way to raise money for the Lupus Foundation. We have had some sponsors such as Loblaws and [Food Services], who donated whipped cream for the event.”
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that affects roughly one in every 1,000 Canadians. LFO, with national and provincial lupus foundations across Canada, has worked to raise awareness and funds to support those with the disease.
“We began [LFO] over 40 years ago,” said Kathy Crowhurst, office manager for the LFO. “At that time, nobody had heard of lupus. A [lupus sufferer took out a] newspaper ad and founded this organization, [starting] with a bingo fundraiser at that time [in her local] town. The funds [were] used as seed money for other [lupus] organizations across Canada.”
“Students, friends of students, and anyone who is in the Ottawa region on Nov. 27 are welcome to come and throw a pie,” said Addesa. “We will have tons of posters and pamphlets, and if anyone has any questions about lupus, they can come see us.”
Pie a Sigma Psi is Nov. 27, at 9 p.m. at Father and Sons. No registration is required.
—Christopher Radojewski
