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In Utah and across the country, Sigma Chi fraternity members say they want to tackle cancer.

Following the lead of fraternity brother Jon Huntsman Sr., the collegiate group pledged Monday to raise $10 million for the Huntsman Cancer Institute.

Dozens of fraternity members traveled to the research center for a news conference, where they got a pat on the back from Huntsman, a cancer survivor. His son, former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., also was a Sigma Chi member at the University of Utah, but did not attend the event.

"You can do no greater work anywhere in the world," the elder Huntsman told the group. The Utah philanthropist was flanked by his wife, Karen, and son David Huntsman, CEO of the Huntsman Cancer Foundation.

The Illinois-based fraternity has already raised about $3 million for the institute since 2005. It's ramping up to contribute $7 million more by 2022.

Jon Huntsman Sr. said the new push is a "joint effort."

The institute's chief executive officer, Mary Beckerle, said the gift "will have a major impact" and is likely to fund research on therapies targeting specific pathways in tumors.

The announcement this week comes after reports of hazing that led Dartmouth University, the University of Houston and the University of Wisconsin to suspend the organization this year.

Brandon Plewe, who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2009, praised the pledge.

"It's really just amazing to be a part of this and to see all of the hard work," said Plewe, a Sigma Chi brother who graduated from the U. in 2000. He was in good spirits after news from his oncologist Friday that he still is in remission.

On Monday, Plewe joined in naming the building's top floor for Sigma Chi, a change that won approval from university trustees in April.

Many at the event wore blue shirts that read, "We are the generation to end cancer."

Colin Hayes, a representative from the University of West Florida, said he believes the national group can reach its goal by getting the word out on social media.

"Now that we're all socially connected," he said, "we can have more events like this."

The promised $10 million is equal to the namesake family's founding donation in 1993. The Huntsmans have since contributed more than 10 times the original gift.

For Sigma Chi's part, most campus chapters raise the money in an annual week of competitions known as Derby Days.

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