A Mission That Matters
Alpha Phi’s international philanthropy is dedicated to women’s heart health, a cause that is urgent and deeply personal. Across all Alpha Phi chapters, including ours at SUNY Cortland, we are proud to support life-saving research and education around cardiovascular disease in women. Heart disease is often brushed over and most individuals don’t understand the detrimental effect it can have on you or those around you.
Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death among women? It claims the lives of 1 in 3 women every year, yet it often goes unrecognized. Many women are unaware of the signs, and even fewer know how different those signs can look compared to men. This makes heart disease not just deadly but dangerously silent. Alpha Phi is committed to changing that.
Each year, Alpha Phi chapters across the country host the Red Dress Gala, a signature event designed to raise both funds and awareness for women’s heart health. Sisters put on their red dresses and invite friends and family to attend. The Red Dress Gala brings together sisters, alumni, families, and friends for a night of unity.
The room is full of red tables, red roses, and red backdrops that make the whole event beautiful and heartwarming. The tables have beautiful floral arrangements, along with phi bear stuffed animals that make each table feel welcoming. The evening starts with a cocktail hour, where guests can mingle and browse our themed raffle baskets. Guests can buy raffle tickets to use for the assortment of baskets that are handmade by our sisters. Baskets include things like, “The Makeup Guru Basket”, “Home Chef”, and “Pet Owner Basket”. There is something for everyone to look at.
After the first hour, guests move upstairs where the gala continues with engaging activities like games, balloon darts, and ring toss, offering attendees a fun way to get involved and spend money to support this cause. We also sell custom Red Dress Gala t-shirts, giving guests a way to show their support even after the event ends.
After dinner the basket winners are announced on the microphone which is entertaining for everyone involved. The night ends with a silent auction featuring generous donations from local businesses and supporters. All proceeds go directly to the Alpha Phi Foundation, helping to fund innovative research and educational programs in women’s heart health.
One of the most meaningful parts of the Red Dress Gala is hearing from our chapter leaders. This year, Kayla Velazquez, our head of Philanthropy, delivered a heartfelt speech on the importance of heart health, and how Alpha Phi continues to make a difference in the lives of women everywhere. She states “Thanks to events like our Red Dress Gala, we have raised over $20,000 for the Alpha phi foundation —funds that contribute to life-saving research, medical advancements, and education that will change lives. That impact is real. That impact is powerful.”. Our Chapter Advisor, Samantha Hoerner, also spoke about the power of coming together as a community to support a cause that affects so many. As a Alpha Phi alumni and a Alpha phi advisor since 2012, she deeply resonates with our chapter and the philanthropy we are dedicated to.
Cardiovascular disease can affect women of all ages and many don’t realize their risk until it’s too late. Symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, and nausea are often mistaken for something less serious. That’s why education and early detection are so crucial.
Through events like the Red Dress Gala, Alpha Phi is proud to be part of the solution. This isn’t just philanthropy. It’s a movement.
And it all starts with one red dress.