Derby Days to fundraise for cancer research


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Morgan Taylor | Staff Photographer David Buzan gets most of his head shaved b y Amber Wilkinson while raising money for his fraternity, Sigma Chi, on Monday night in the Sigma Chi house on Main Street.

Zach Stout sat in the Zeta Rho Chapter of Sigma Chi’s living room with two fraternity brothers next to him and a full head of hair.

A few minutes later, the Livonia senior’s head was shaved into an embarrassing hairstyle to raise money for cancer research.

“I had it done the past two years. It was funny,” Stout said. “Sorority girls are non-stop shaving head after head, so it’s embarrassing to have the shaved head, but it’s really fun when it happens.”

Derby Days is a weeklong philanthropy event hosted by the Sigma Chi Fraternity where sorority women participate in a series of competitions to earn points and raise money for cancer research, with events happening every day this week. Last year, the chapter raised more than $7,000 for the Huntsman Cancer Institute, which is one of the world's top cancer institutions for cancer and genetics research. 

The "Pie a Sig, Shave His Wig" event leaves volunteers from the Sigma Chi chapter with ridiculous haircuts for at least 24 hours a year to kick off Derby Days, which raises money for the Huntsman Cancer Institute. A brother can also be pied in the face for an additional $1. Each head shaved is worth 50 points for the sorority and each pie is worth one point. The event takes place today 6 p.m. at 604 S. Main St.

Tuesday will have Sigma Chi’s styling their Derby Days shirt for the "Tag a Sig" event. Sorority women will search for the men in the shirts to take a photo with before tweeting it to @Zeta_Rho_Sig. Each photo is worth two points. Tuesday will also feature the Derby Chase scavenger hunt, where hats will be hidden around campus. Sigma Chi will tweet clues from its Twitter page and each hat is worth 50 points. The event begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 8 p.m. and takes place on campus.

“The events are important for a couple reasons. One reason is just to have fun overall in the week and because of turnout,” said philanthropy chair Northvile junior Mark Guidobono. “People become more aware of cancer research and what’s being done. It raises money to hopefully one day find a cure to some types of cancer.”

Sororities will each elect one member to compete against other sororities at Wednesday’s Derby Pageant  at 7 p.m. at the Broadway theater. It features three rounds: a best outfit, a talent show and a question and answer round. The first place winner wins 500 points, second place 300 points and third place is 100 points. The winner is named "Derby Darling." Tickets are $5.

Sigma Chi brothers will be bid off to the highest bidder at the Derby Date Auction at 8 p.m. Thursday at Wayside Central. Once bought, the brother is "owned" by the sorority until 2 a.m.

Puppies on the Porch will feature a dozen puppies on the porch of Sigma Chi at 3 p.m. Friday at 604 S. Main Street. The first 150 people will receive a free Insomnia cookie. Tickets cost $5. Each ticket is worth 20 points.

“It brings people together who are from different groups and bring them closer as a community,” Stout said.

The sorority with the most points will be named the winner of Derby Days and will receive $1,000 dollars to donate its philanthropy.

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