Arthritis Foundation Receives $1 Million Gift from Longtime Partner Alpha Omicron Pi Fraternity
Arthritis Foundation Receives $1 Million Gift from Longtime Partner Alpha Omicron Pi Fraternity
The Fraternity gives its largest gift to date to mark 56 years of partnership with the Foundation.
ATLANTA (July 31, 2023) – The Arthritis Foundation announced it has received its largest gift to-date from the Alpha Omicron Pi (AOII) Fraternity: a donation of $1 million to fuel research and community support initiatives for the 2023–2024 fiscal year. The expanded financial support comes as the Foundation and AOII mark their 56th year of partnership. The donation was presented at the 2023 AOII International Convention in Grapevine, Texas.
“Members and alumnae of AOII are an important part of our community here at the Arthritis Foundation, and we are so grateful for their decades of unwavering partnership” said Steven Taylor, President & CEO of the Arthritis Foundation. “Across the country, members of AOII are champions of our cause – and through their support, we’ve increased awareness and helped reach even more people and families affected by arthritis.”
Making a direct impact
Specifically, the impact of this year’s donation will directly support the Foundation’s summer camps for kids with juvenile arthritis, the upcoming Juvenile Arthritis (JA) Family Summit, various scholarships, the Foundation’s financial support of the CARRA Registry and the Foundation’s Helpline. AOII’s donation also will support the Foundation’s science initiatives, including osteoarthritis clinical trials.
“The Arthritis Foundation not only helps people form lifelong connections and access life-changing resources, but it’s also making remarkable strides in research and science to help improve patient’s lives,” said Kaya Miller, Executive Director of AOII. “It’s why our collegiate and alumnae members are so passionate about this philanthropic work – it makes a real, tangible difference in patient’s lives. We’re honored to be a part of it.”
As presenting sponsor of this year’s JA Family Summit, AOII has a hands-on role in connecting with members of the JA community. This form of arthritis hits particularly close to home for the Fraternity, as it affects members who have their own diagnosis stories. That includes Madison Stickney, of the Xi Chapter at University of Oklahoma.
“Being a member of AOII allows me to give back to the Arthritis Foundation in ways I had not before and allows me to support kids with the same disease I experience,” said Stickney, who was diagnosed with JA in elementary school and still feels its impacts today.
More about the partnership
For over five decades, AOII collegiate and alumnae chapters across the country have supported the Foundation through volunteerism and fundraising to support research, education and juvenile arthritis (JA) programming. AOII has had a steadfast presence at the annual Walk to Cure Arthritis and Jingle Bell Run fundraisers nationwide, two of the Foundation’s signature events. Fraternity members also regularly volunteer at JA camps, promote arthritis awareness through “AOII Goes Blue,” host stuffed animal “panda drives” for JA patients and hold signature philanthropy events on college campuses.
About Alpha Omicron Pi Fraternity
Alpha Omicron Pi was founded in 1897 at Barnard College of Columbia University in New York City. AOII has over 200,000 initiated members and 135 current installed collegiate chapters, with more than 130 active alumnae chapters across the United States and Canada. Alpha Omicron Pi is an international women’s fraternity promoting friendship for a lifetime, inspiring academic excellence and lifelong learning and developing leadership skills through service to the Fraternity and community. To learn more about Alpha Omicron Pi, visit the Fraternity website at www.alphaomicronpi.org, or find AOII online on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About the Arthritis Foundation
The Arthritis Foundation is fighting for all people who live with arthritis. As a Champion of Yes, it’s the Arthritis Foundation’s mission to turn the obstacles arthritis causes into opportunities. The Arthritis Foundation champions life-changing solutions and medical advancements, and it also provides ways for people to connect, break down barriers in health care and join the fight to conquer arthritis — uniting hearts, minds and resources to change the future of arthritis. To join the fight to conquer arthritis, visit arthritis.org.