Helping One of Our Own

One OF OUROwn

$1M ACCOMPLISHMENT BENEFITING ST. JUDE MARKS NEW ACHIEVEMENT FOR THE DIVINE NINE

By ALSAC/St. Jude

A cancer diagnosis changes everything. The world seems to stop in an instant. All parts of life are suddenly different.

Tanisha was aware of these devastating realities. She had been a long-time supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, and is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., which also supports the lifesaving mission of St. Jude.

But being aware of something and experiencing it are two very different things.

When DJ, Tanisha’s oldest son, was 15, a lump suddenly appeared on the right side of his jaw. A trip to the doctor returned a diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma, a type of soft tissue cancer. DJ was referred to St. Jude for treatment.

Tanisha said it felt like she was hit in the stomach with a ton of bricks upon hearing the diagnosis.

DJ underwent surgery to remove the tumor, which was followed by radiation therapy and nearly a year of chemotherapy. Unfortunately, despite those efforts, the cancer still returned. More radiation and chemo followed.

After being placed on maintenance therapy to keep the cancer in remission, a follow-up MRI revealed another tumor. More than three years after the initial diagnosis, DJ’s treatment continues at St. Jude.

“Childhood cancer is devastating,” Tanisha said. “But with it there is hope, especially with places like St. Jude.”

Tanisha says DJ is still alive because of the generous support from individuals and organizations across the country, including Sigma Gamma Rho. She said it means the world to her that her sorority completed its pledge to raise $1 million for St. Jude in honor of Sigma Gamma Rho’s 100th anniversary. In doing so, Sigma Gamma Rho became the first Divine Nine sorority to raise $1 million for St. Jude. The sorority was honored for its achievement at the 2024 St. Jude Celebration of Hope seminar in Memphis, Tennessee, in January.

Rasheeda S. Liberty, International Grand Basileus of Sigma Gamma Rho, stated in a press release celebrating the achievement, “Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated is grateful for the opportunity to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s work to find cures and help save the lives of children all over the world. I am proud of the mobilization of our global membership to reach this $1 million milestone, and to have done so just prior to our 101st Founders’ Day. This accomplishment aligns with our sorority’s motto, ‘Greater Service, Greater Progress.’

We look forward to continuing our partnership with St. Jude in the years to come.”

Tanisha presented Liberty with the St. Jude Pioneer Award during the 2024 Celebration of Hope seminar.

Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – so they can focus on helping their child live.

“It’s because of gifts like this that parents like me can go into a hospital, see my son and not worry about a bill or how much it’s going to cost to buy his medicine,” Tanisha said. “I know I would be bankrupt if I had to.”

Tanisha also said DJ was excited to know of Sigma Gamma Rho’s fundraising achievements, adding that he now calls every member of the sorority his aunties.

“St. Jude is a godsend,” Tanisha said. “And I will scream it from the top of the highest mountain.”

To learn more about Tanisha’s story and the St. Jude partnership, please scan here:

Alpha Sigma Chapter

Alpha Sigma’s Centennial Celebration: Honoring Legacy, Inspiring Community In 2022, the Alpha Sigma Alumnae Chapter celebrated Centennial with various events that honored the Founders and celebrated #Greater

While the Alpha Sigma Alumnae Chapter welcomed Sorors from all over the country, the chapter showcased a series of events during Founders month, which is affectionately known as Rhovember.

To commemorate the Founders and 100 years of sisterhood, scholarship, and service, the City of Indianapolis honored Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated with a street sign dedication that was held on Friday, November 11, 2022. The roadway, called Boulevard Place, is what our Founders walked on. The new roadway, Indianapolis, IN