Members of Gannon University’s Greek Life gathered together to raise money for childhood cancer Tuesday afternoon.
The Be Positive event was held in Yehl Ballroom from 2-7 p.m. to raise money for The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, a childhood cancer research foundation named after 14-year-old Andrew McDonough, from Wilmington, Del.
Junior health care management major Charlie Myers and junior physician assistant major Zack Van Gorder brought this idea to Gannon.
With the help of the rest of Greek Life, Myers and Van Gorder saw their vision come to life.
“We were so excited to have the B+ foundation finally come to fruition at Gannon after learning about it at the Northeast Greek Leadership Association last year,” senior physician assistant major Grace Schaefer said.
“It was incredible to finally raise the money and have a fun event to celebrate it.”
McDonough was someone that went from playing soccer games on Saturday in January 2007 to cardiac arrest and a diagnosis of leukemia and sepsis just 48 hours later.
Andrew’s blood type and the family’s motto was, and continues to be, “B+” or “Be Positive.”
Andrew passed on July 14, 2007, after a 167-day hospital stay due to complications from the leukemia.
During Tuesday’s event, students competed in video game tournaments.
Throughout the event, there were live performances by students, including Myers.
Each sorority even had its own table with board games to play off to the side.
At the beginning of October, Gannon’s sororities and fraternities were asked to each raise at least $600 for the foundation.
Thanks to the work of everyone, Gannon Greek Life raised $6,025 to donate to The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation.
The ladies of Phi Sigma Sigma raised the most money with a total of $1,235.
“Coming into this organization as a new member, it makes me even more excited to know that these women will always have my back and are so passionate and motivated and live out our beliefs in service and philanthropy,” sophomore occupational therapy major Adriana Lasky said.
“I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of such a great sisterhood.”
Following close behind were Delta Sigma Phi with $1,070 and Sigma Sigma Sigma with $825.
Events like these are held to raise money for foundations, but also help to create unity on Gannon’s campus.
“I feel as though the B+ event showed unity within Greek Life here on campus,” sophomore physician assistant major Katie Howey said.
“Joining together to achieve (and surpass) a common goal and support the Andrew McDonough foundation had a resonating impact for both the Gannon community and within Andrew’s life”.
If you wish to donate money, feel free to visit https://bepositive.org.

OLIVIA HAHNER
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