Alpha Epsilon Phi to Host Dodgeball Tournament

On Wednesday, April 20, Alpha Epsilon Phi will host the first annual “Dodging Endometriosis” in the Pratt Center at 8 p.m. “Dodging Endometriosis” is a dodgeball tournament aimed to bring awareness to a disease called endometriosis.

Victoria McLaughlin, a member of Alpha Epsilon Phi who is running the tournament, explained the planning of the event. “One of my sorority sisters came to me in March and asked if I would be able to put together a fundraising event before the end of this semester for one of her friends who suffers from endometriosis. I have wanted to host a big event all semester, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to do so,” McLaughlin said. “I chose dodgeball because it is a competitive, yet fun game that anyone can play, and there is no limit on the number of people allowed to play. Another reason I chose dodgeball is because of the name of the event that I was able to come up with, “Dodging Endometriosis.” The event name has brought more awareness to this disorder, especially as people are signing up to play,” McLaughlin added.

Although McLaughlin has helped plan other events for her sorority, “Dodging Endometriosis” is the first one that she is in charge of. “Before this, I was usually the person that helped plan an event and remained behind the scenes. I didn’t have such a big role to play. But now, being in charge of this event, I’ve had more of a role. Putting

together this event has been a lot of fun. I have been working with one of my sorority sisters, Stephanie Mercado, who has been an enormous help throughout the planning process,” she said.

Mercado explained the planning process between herself and McLaughlin. “Tory and I planned the event together after talking to our local philanthropy chair about running the event to raise money for endometriosis. I set up the Facebook event and both Tory and I hung up flyers in some buildings on campus,” Mercado said. Each team in the tournament will consist of 15 members. Entering the tournament costs $5 per person.

According to MayoClinic.org, “Endometriosis is an often painful disorder in which tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus grows outside the uterus.” Mercato said that the money that is fundraised will go to a friend who has endometriosis as well as the Endometriosis Foundation of America if the money is donated. In addition to raising money for the Endometriosis Foundation of America, Alpha Epsilon Phi has raised money for the Elizabeth Glazer Pediatric Aids Foundation and Sharsheret. According to Mercato, Alpha Epsilon Phi hopes to raise as much money as possible for “Dodging Endometriosis.” “Dodging Endometriosis” will take place in the Pratt Center on April 20 at 8 p.m.