The Theta Sigma Chapter of the Sigma Chi Fraternity at Cal Poly Pomona announced that it raised more than $100,000 over two months for the Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah. The facility is putting the funds toward an expansion project, the Kathryn F. Kirk Center for Comprehensive Cancer Care and Women's Cancers, that will increase HCI's clinical care capacity by 50 percent.

"Sigma Chi has a goal to raise $20,000,0000 to help fund the new (expansion)," said Jerry Nelson, director of Sigma Chi Alumni Giving and Special Projects at Huntsman Cancer Foundation. "The amount of funding raised by the Cal Poly Pomona chapter is absolutely amazing and places it as one of the top chapters in Sigma Chi history to have ever reached this goal."

"To do this in a virtual environment was never expected," he added, "but this is phenomenal."

The Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) is an NCI-designated cancer research facility and hospital located in Salt Lake City, Utah. Scientists at the institute aim to understand cancer at a molecular and genetic level and strive to find new and more effective ways to treat this disease. A treatment approach based on genetic knowledge allows for more targeted, individualized cancer therapies.

"We are extremely humbled by the amount of generosity shown by all donors," said Cole Gerber, Theta Sigma's philanthropy chairman and incoming chapter president. "We did something truly special, and I really cannot put into words how thankful we are. We want to be the generation to end cancer. Every dollar raised helps us to reach that goal and save the amazing women in our lives."

In addition to fundraising, the chapter supported the local community by hosting a blood and platelet drive led by Cedars-Sinai.

"We could not have achieved this without the extraordinary digital outreach and support of the sororities, family members and alumni of this chapter," said Bryan Engdahl, former president of the chapter.

Sigma Chi is now encouraging people across the CPP community to donate what they can by clicking here.

"In these extraordinary and somewhat difficult times, it is awesome to see that the heart of giving still exists," said chapter advisor Ryan Rogers. "The leadership required to raise $100,000 in sixty days is something the men of the Theta Sigma Chapter should be very proud of."