Philanthropies

There are many service projects that the Delta Omega Chapter of Gamma Sigma Sigma is involved in at La Salle University. The most important to the sorority, are our three philanthropies: MS Walk, March of Dimes, and the Sunshine Foundation. The following will give you some basic information on these three very important charities.

MS Walk

The MS Walk is used every year to generate awareness of the programs/events provided by the National MS Society's chapters. Volunteers walk to raise money for local National MS Society offices. These offices use the money raised to provide literature, support groups, and education programs for those afflicted and affected by Multiple Sclerosis. Not only is money raise used to create awareness of this disease, but, the money is also used to do research so that one day a cure can be found.

Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. In MS, myelin, which is a fatty tissue used to help conduct electrical impulses, is lost, leaving scar tissue called sclerosis. When the myelin in the brain or the nerve fiber is destroyed/damaged, the brain loses its ability to conduct electrical impulses. This disruption of impulses leads to many symptoms, among which are: dizziness and vertigo, Difficulty in walking, seizures, tremor, speech/swallowing disorders, and spasticity.

March of Dimes

The March of Dimes is a campaign against premature babies. Money raised is devoted to research, awareness, and education, to help families have healthier babies. Over the last twenty years the rate of premature births rose over 27 percent close to half a million babies are born premature every year. Through research, The March of Dimes is attempting to find out the causes of premature birth and what can be done to stop it.

The March of Dimes Five Year plan includes: "Funding research to find the causes of premature birth, Educating families about the warning signs of premature labor and what can be done to prevent it, Expanding access to health car coverage so that more women can get prenatal care, and Helping health care provider learn ways to help reduce the risk of early delivery." (March of Dimes)

The March of Dimes was found in 1938 by then President Franklin Roosevelt. His cause at the time, elimination of polio. After the development of the Salk vaccine polio was irraticated, and The March of Dimes moved onto greater challenges. Since the elimination of polio The March of Dimes Foundation has been working to fight birth defects and other infant health issues.

Sunshine Foundation

The Sunshine Foundation is know as "The Original Wish Granting Organization." Since 1976, this organization which originated in Philadelphia by Bill Sample, has made the dreams of many ill children become reality. With the help of many people, Bill Sample who was helping out in a Philadelphia children's hospital made the dream of a young boy named Bobby a come to life by making a trip to the mountains. Bobby died shortly after, however, the spirit of the Sunshine Foundation continues on. The Sunshine Foundation, answers the dreams of seriously ill, physically challenged and abused children, ranging in ages from 3 to 21 from all over the United States. To date over thirty thousand dreams have been answered.