The Kappa Psi chapter of the College of Pharmacy recently raised $2,500 for a camp for children with cystic fibrosis.
Fourteen teams competed in this year’s “Hoops for Healing” basketball tournament, an annual event that the fraternity chapter organizes and conducts.
“It was a lot of fun,” said Julia Huebner, a third-year student who co-chaired the tournament’s committee. “It ran really smoothly throughout the day, and we earned more than a $1,000 more than last year.”
Proceeds will go to Camp Jenny, a camp that the American Lung Association organizes each year near Louisville, Neb., for children with cystic fibrosis. The inherited disease causes respiratory and digestive problems, and afflicts about one in 2,500 Caucasians. It is the most common fatal hereditary disorder affecting Caucasians in the United States.
Kappa Psi is a coeducational fraternity with 67 collegiate and 43 graduate chapters in the United States and Canada. The UNMC chapter has about 70 members, including many first-year students, Huebner said.
“It’s been a big year for us, and we’re excited about the future,” said Huebner, a Hershey, Neb., native. “We’re looking to get more involved in the welcoming of students, so that we can do even more.”
In addition to the basketball tournament, Kappa Psi members volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House, clean a stretch of highway and take part in social events.
The tournament raises money through sponsorships, some of which came from greater Nebraska.
“There were a lot of community sponsors from Omaha, but we also had sponsors from North Platte and Albion,” Huebner said. “The teams’ entry fees basically cover the cost of the gym, T-shirts and other expenses. The sponsors really contribute to the money that we eventually give to Camp Jenny. It was nice to have sponsors from across the state.”