NSU’s Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority will host its first annual “65 Rose Bowl” flag football tournament to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation on Feb. 13 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Bill Gessner Sports Field near the residence halls.
DPhiE Philanthropy Coordinator and freshman business administration and dance major, Jessica Rodriguez, said the name “65 Rose Bowl” was named after the nickname for Cystic Fibrosis. “65 roses” is what some children call the disease because the words are easier for them to pronounce. The rose has become a symbol of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Rodriguez said she came up with idea for a flag football tournament to fundraise.
“Usually, our big fundraising event for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) takes place in the Fall semester – the very successful Mr. Fintasticbut, I wanted to come up with a big event that takes place in the Winter semester,” she said.
Rodriguez said CFF is a nonprofit, donor-supported organization and the world’s leader in the search for a cure for CF.
“The foundation funds lifesaving research and works to provide access to quality, specialized care and effective treatments for people with CF,” she said.
DPhiE Vice President of Programming and sophomore business administration major Nicole Almeida said the flag football tournament is beneficial to DPhiE’s cause because it is an outdoors event.
“CF is a disease that affects the lungs, and by having this event outside we are able to promote the privilege of breathing fresh air without difficulties,” she said.
Rodriguez said it’s important for the NSU community to be aware of CF because an estimated 30,000 children and adults in the U.S. have it.
“About 1,000 new cases of CF are diagnosed each year,” she said. “More than 75 percent of people with CF are diagnosed by age two and nearly half of the CF population is age 18 or older.”
During the week leading up to this event, DPhiE will be tabling in the Don Taft University Center Pit.
Almeida said, “Contracting CF can happen to more people than one thinks because it’s genetic and a cause that cannot be prevented.”
Rodriguez said, “After losing one of our beautiful sisters, Rojeana Auriel Hall in 2012, to CF, the sisters at NSU’s chapter of DPhiE have dedicated themselves to this philanthropy in support of finding a cure.”
The event is open to all registered student organizations and anyone else who would like to make a team of 7-10 people. Organizations and students must sign up no later than five days before the tournament.
If a student is not on a team, but would like to participate, they can join another team on the day of the event. To sign up, contact Rodriguez at jr2387@nova.edu or 305-297-5210.
Those who do not want to participate, can support the teams as an audience member. Beverages, food and music will be provided.
Photo Credit:Courtesy of 65roses.com
