Tri Delta and St Jude

I've been thinking about this post for a while and now is the perfect time to write it. Sororities/fraternities many times get a bad wrap. You often only hear the negative stories and not often enough the positive ones. When I went to UGA joining Tri Delta was one of the best decisions of my life. But even then I had no idea the impact that decision would have on me. The girls I met became my closest and lifelong friends.  To this day many of us talk daily/weekly.  We still get together often and we support each other through all of life's ups and downs. They have supported me through this cancer journey in more ways than I could ever tell you in this brief writing. That is what joining a sorority is about: sisterhood and bonding for life. It's for real. For me their support and love meant everything. I know 100% that if it was not for my Tri Delta sisters I wouldn't have made it all 4 years at UGA.
I always knew that St Jude was Tri Delta's philanthropy but I never knew how important that would be until my beautiful Mary was diagnosed with aggressive cancer and needed St. Jude to save her life. When I walked into the hospital and saw the strong influence of Tri Delta it gave me such peace to know my sisters put such a big mark on the place that I prayed would be able to heal my child. If anyone could, I felt they could. Mary also believe it with all of her heart. When we landed in Memphis she burst into tears. I was confused and asked her if she was ok. She said, "I'm just so happy because I know this place will save my life." They didn't save her, that obviously wasn't in the cards, but we did get 10 more miraculous months. Mary loved St Jude and she wanted to be a Tri Delta even more after being there.  She loved seeing pictures everywhere of the sisters, the art, the pin embedded in the waiting room wall and their visits.  We often talked about my fun times at UGA and all the good times with my sisters. I can't explain how it touches my heart to be able to go back to Athens to share my personal story with the new sisters.  It's great to see the tears in their eyes and know they can feel the hard work and money raised really does make a difference. To have a freshman come up to me from my high school to tell me she became a Tri Delta because of me and Mary. To tell me that she wants to be a Pediatric oncology nurse makes me feel as though our journey has a purpose. Last year our chapter raised over $60,000 and this year the goal is $81,000. I have no doubt they will reach it and beyond. I am beyond proud. I am hopeful more girls will join sorority life and be proud of their sisterhood. It can be a wonderful thing, I know I am forever proud and thankful. I know Mary is also. Delta Love!