The month of February is an enchanting time of the year. Chocolates, flowers, and love is what comes to mind for most people. However, there is more to the month of February than Valentine’s Day and date nights with your significant other. February is the month to take awareness of heart health. Throughout the month of February, Alpha Phi promotes women’s heart health with many events and fundraising opportunities in order to bring awareness to the community in hopes that they will come together for such a great and beneficial cause.
Why should women take awareness of their heart health? Every one in five women are affected by heart disease.
Since February is known as the “Heart Health Month,” Alpha Phi takes action and really takes it to heart. The sorority’s philanthropy is raising awareness of women’s heart health. Their primary goal is to raise $50,000 towards the Alpha Phi Foundation every year in order to support their philanthropy. This group of young women host events and bring awareness to women’s heart health all over campus throughout Heart Health Month.
February 18, 2017- Red Dress Gala. Alpha Phi hosts this event every year. It’s an invite only event that consists of silent auctions and a gourmet dinner in order to fundraise towards the Alpha Phi Foundation.
February 20-24, 2017- Throughout this week, Alpha Phi will be set up at a table in the Kent Student Center in order to raise awareness for women’s heart health. Don’t be afraid to check it out! They are taking sign-ups for their annual blood drive on February 22, and they’re also selling tickets for their event called King of Hearts.
February 22, 2017- Alpha Phi is hosting their annual blood drive at the Kent Student Center throughout the entire day. If you would like to make an appointment, they are tabling in the student throughout the days of Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday (February 20-22).
February 25, 2017- King of Hearts. Alpha Phi is hosting their third annual King of Hearts, which is a men’s beauty pageant. It consists of the finest gentlemen on campus competing to be crowned the King of Hearts. These men entertain us with their talent, evening wear, and swim attire throughout the night. Anyone on campus is able to attend, and tickets will be sold at the tables in the Kent Student Center throughout the week before hand (February 20-24).
The Alpha Phi President, Raquel Fricker, has given her ideal thoughts about the month of February for us here at Her Campus. When the month of February is mentioned, the words that pop into Raquel’s mind are red, love, and heart health. She is extremely passionate towards her sisters and the sorority’s foundation as a whole. She explained how the women of Alpha Phi become CPR certified at the beginning of February every year; they do this in order to become aware and well-educated of the procedures in order to save a life of a person in cardiac arrest. She believes that in doing this, the sorority benefits and helps the community substantially, and she couldn’t be more proud. Lastly, Raquel believes that Alpha Phi touches her heart dearly, and she wants to help the community as much as possible. “I joined Alpha Phi because the summer before my freshman year of college, my grandma passed away due to heart related issues,” Raquel says. “Being able to support a cause that is so close to my heart is extremely important to me.”
February is truly a heartwarming month. Valentine’s Day may help enhance your heart health with love and gifts, but remember to consider that it’s Heart Health Month. Take the initiative to embrace the health of your heart and others as well. Take action with Alpha Phi and help spread the awareness of women’s heart health.
All photos by Sami Scozzaro