Issue date: 10/13/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Wade Barker Junior yell leader Casey Schaefer leads patients and members of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity in a yell practice Saturday in Spence Park. Approximately 45 children from Texas Children's Hospital and MD Anderson attended a tailgate, yell practice and Saturday's game. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Wade Barker 14-year-old Elliott Lapin plays catch with a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. [Click to enlarge]

Cancer patients from Houston attended Saturday's game and participated in Aggie traditions.

Members of Phi Gamma Delta organized Fiji Share the Spirit as the Aggies took on the Wildcats. Cancer patients from MD Anderson and the Texas Children's Hospital ate lunch with the fraternity and yell leaders, attended a Texas Aggie football game and met and received signatures from the football players.

"The most important part is the relational aspect of the event - matching the patients with members of the fraternity to 'share the spirit' of Texas A&M with the kids who don't often get to go out and do these kind of things," said Jimmy Driver, a junior finance major and head of the event.

While waiting for the game, the patients participated in pre-game activities at a tailgate, such as meeting the yell leaders and experiencing a yell practice. The fraternity also bought each of the patients a football and a T-shirt, along with markers for the signing after the game.

"Some of the guys were paired up with certain patients to be their 'buddy' for the day. It's a big philanthropy for us, and our fifth year being involved with the kids, and it's a really special and important event to us," senior psychology major Daniel Crawford said.

After hanging out with the Aggies and learning the spirit of Aggieland, the patients were driven back to Houston.

"I think it's one of the greatest events [Phi Gamma Delta] does. It's a way for patients to get away from their natural routine and see the spirit we share here. It's an event that impacts them greatly and it's fun to watch them have a great time," junior finance major Brock Robertson said.

He said the event puts the fraternity in a positive light.

"We receive tons of support from the community. It shows that fraternities are multi-faceted. It's a great way for us to give back, and we are hoping to grow it every year," Robertson said.

Fiji Share the Spirit is a nonprofit charity that aids children and young adults undergoing treatment for cancer.

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