Rotaract, a University service organization, currently is hosting a “Kiss the Pig” contest to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Baton Rouge.
The fund-raiser has participants competing to raise the most money for the society. The winner has to kiss a hog donated by the LSU AgCenter.
Rotaract has table-sitting in Free Speech Alley in order to collect donations.
According to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Web site, the society “is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services.”
The Web site said the Society was founded in 1949 with the mission to cure Leukemia, Lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma. It also is working to improve the quality of life for patients and their families.
Linda Price-Thomas, campaign manager for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Baton Rouge, said the society has 62 chapters throughout the nation, including in Hawaii and Alaska.
Alexandra Chung, Rotaract president, said the service organization held its first fund-raiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society two years ago. At that time Rotaract and University athletes were involved with the contest.
Price-Thomas said at least 75 percent of each dollar donated to the society is dedicated to financing their mission and research.
She said Rotaract raised about $1,400 through their first “Kiss the Pig” contest. The money provides financial aid to three patients in order to help them with expenses.
Price-Thomas said she hopes Rotaract can raise more money this year.
Rotaract participates in the Society’s “Light the Night Walk,” an evening walk to raise awareness of blood cancers and funds for cures, she said.
According to the Web site, participants carry illuminated balloons in honor of people affected by cancer.
Rotaract did participate, but was not able to raise money for the walk because it was held early in the fall semester, Chung said.
She said the service organization decided to continue supporting the Society, and wanted to expand the “Kiss the Pig” contest to include a more diverse group of participants.
Chung said they asked student leaders on campus to participate in the fund-raiser this year.
The participants will be divided into two groups — academics and athletics, she said. The academics team is led by Chancellor Mark Emmert and the athletics team is led by Athletics Director Skip Bertman.
The academics team is comprised of Student Government president Allen Richey, former Interfraternity Council president Scott Levy, homecoming queen Rachel Sherburne, former National Pan-Hellenic Council president Michael Stallworth and Mortar Board president Sonja Ardoin.
The athletics team is comprised of football player Matt Mauck, soccer player Artie Brown, basketball player Charlie Thompson and softball player Juile Weiss.
Sherburne said she was flattered when she was asked to participate in the drive.
“It goes to a good cause, so the more money we make, the better,” she said.
Sherburne said last semester a friend gave $65 to the drive so he could see her kiss the hog.
Richey, who has been a member of Rotaract since his sophomore year, said he agreed to participate with the fund-raiser and hopes to raise a lot of money for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society of Baton Rouge.
Richey said he hopes he will not have to kiss the pig.
He said even though schedule conflicts have caused him to be a less active member this semester, he was drawn to Rotaract because of the service opportunity.
“I enjoyed the participation and service opportunities when I was able to do so,” he said.
Richey said the Rotaract fund-raiser is a noble effort to raise money.
“Leukemia is obviously a horrible disease and any research that can be done to prevent it is beneficial,” he said.
Chung said the winners will be announced March 17 at 11:30 a.m. on the Parade Grounds. Also, a check will be presented to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Baton Rouge.
For more information about contributing to the Society, contact Alexandra Chung at [email protected].