On Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m., West Chester University’s Alpha Alpha chapter of Delta Phi Epsilon will be hosting their annual Deepher Dude competition to benefit cystic fibrosis research. The event will be held in the historic and iconic Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall. The Deepher Dude competition consists of three criteria: a talent portion, a formal portion, and a question and answer portion. This year’s Deepher Dude competition, dubbed “Deepher Dude: Once upon a Deepher,” is an opportunity to support a great cause while the women of Delta Phi Epsilon crown their new Prince Charming. There will also be some big-ticket raffle baskets, including a Go-Pro Camera, an iPad Mini 3, and a FitBit wristband.
All around the country, countless Delta Phi Epsilon chapters host an annual Deepher Dude competition to raise funds for cystic fibrosis (CF) research. Since 1967, Delta Phi Epsilon has raised well over $1 million to research a cure for CF. According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, “Cystic fibrosis is a life-threatening genetic disease that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system. An estimated 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide) have CF. In people with CF, a defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections and obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down food and absorb vital nutrients.”
“West Chester’s Deephers are super pumped to see everyone come out to the event this year,” Delta Phi Epsilon’s New Member Educator of Sisterhood, Anjelica Finore, said. “This cause is held very close to the hearts of the Alpha Alpha chapter because an alumni sister, who was diagnosed with CF at an early age, has truly affected the immediacy and importance for everyone.”
Finore went on to say how the women of Delta Phi Epsilon have had a unique opportunity to see how much of an effect the funding for CF research and awareness has on an individual level. Recent funding has increased the life expectancy of people suffering from CF to new levels. Finore also said that her Delta Phi Epsilon sister’s condition “never stopped her ambition,” as she continues to fight every day while maintaining support for the fight against CF.
If students are unable to attend the event on Nov. 18, but would still like to have an impact against Cystic Fibrosis, they can look for the Delta Phi Epsilon table in Sykes during the week prior to the event to make a donation. The women will also be selling tickets for the event for only $3 prior to the event, opposed to a $5 ticket at the door. Students can clear their calendars for Tuesday, Nov. 18 and come out to Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall at 7:30 p.m. to help fight cystic fibrosis.
Nick Cardillo is a second-year student majoring in communication studies. He can be reached at NC802447@wcupa.edu.