U. cancer institute to get $10M boost from Huntsman's fraternity

Research • Sigma Chi members say they will up fundraising for Huntsman Cancer Institute.

Steve Griffin | The Salt Lake Tribune

Cancer survivor and Sigma Chi, Brandon Plewe, talks about his treatment at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital during press conference announcing the Sigma Chi International Fraternity's commitment to raise $10 million for cancer research at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI), pledging to be "The Generation to End Cancer." This is believed the largest gift committed to one charity in men's fraternity history. To acknowledge the commitment, the sixth floor of Huntsman Cancer Hospital will be named "The Sigma Chi International Fraternity Sixth Floor." The gift is a gesture of Sigma Chi's vision of friendship, justice, and learning to ease the suffering of cancer patients and their families at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital in Salt Lake City, Monday, June 15, 2015.

Steve Griffin | The Salt Lake Tribune

Jon Huntsman talks about the commitment to curing cancer during a press conference announcing the Sigma Chi International Fraternity's commitment to raise $10 million for cancer research at the Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI), pledging to be "The Generation to End Cancer." This is believed the largest gift committed to one charity in men's fraternity history. To acknowledge the commitment, the sixth floor of Huntsman Cancer Hospital will be named "The Sigma Chi International Fraternity Sixth Floor." The gift is a gesture of Sigma Chi's vision of friendship, justice, and learning to ease the suffering of cancer patients and their families at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital in Salt Lake City, Monday, June 15, 2015.

Steve Griffin | The Salt Lake Tribune

Jon Huntsman, left, hugs cancer survivor and fellow Sigma Chi brother Brandon Plewe, following a press conference announcing the fraternity's commitment to raise $10 million for cancer research at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI), pledging to be "The Generation to End Cancer." This is believed the largest gift committed to one charity in men's fraternity history. To acknowledge the commitment, the sixth floor of the Huntsman Cancer Hospital will be named "The Sigma Chi International Fraternity Sixth Floor." The gift is a gesture of Sigma Chi's vision of friendship, justice, and learning to ease the suffering of cancer patients and their families at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital in Salt Lake City, Monday, June 15, 2015.

Steve Griffin | The Salt Lake Tribune

Representatives of the Sigma Chi International Fraternity take pictures during a press conference announcing the fraternity's commitment to raise $10 million for cancer research at the Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI), pledging to be "The Generation to End Cancer." This is believed the largest gift committed to one charity in men's fraternity history. To acknowledge the commitment, the sixth floor of Huntsman Cancer Hospital will be named "The Sigma Chi International Fraternity Sixth Floor." The gift is a gesture of Sigma Chi's vision of friendship, justice, and learning to ease the suffering of cancer patients and their families at the HCI in Salt Lake City, Monday, June 15, 2015.

Steve Griffin | The Salt Lake Tribune

Jon Huntsman smiles as he hugs Sigma Chi International Sweetheart Mary Sugden after she introduced him during a press conference announcing the Sigma Chi International Fraternity's commitment to raise $10 million for cancer research at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI), pledging to be "The Generation to End Cancer." This is believed the largest gift committed to one charity in men's fraternity history. To acknowledge the commitment, the sixth floor of Huntsman Cancer Hospital will be named "The Sigma Chi International Fraternity Sixth Floor." The gift is a gesture of Sigma Chi's vision of friendship, justice, and learning to ease the suffering of cancer patients and their families at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital in Salt Lake City, Monday, June 15, 2015.

Steve Griffin | The Salt Lake Tribune

David Huntsman, left, with representatives of the Sigma Chi International Fraternity "$20k Club" during press conference announcing the fraternity's commitment to raise $10 million for cancer research at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI), pledging to be "The Generation to End Cancer." This is believed the largest gift committed to one charity in men's fraternity history. To acknowledge the commitment, the sixth floor of Huntsman Cancer Hospital will be named "The Sigma Chi International Fraternity Sixth Floor." The gift is a gesture of Sigma Chi's vision of friendship, justice, and learning to ease the suffering of cancer patients and their families at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital in Salt Lake City, Monday, June 15, 2015.

Steve Griffin | The Salt Lake Tribune

David Huntsman, lower left, with representatives of the Sigma Chi International Fraternity during press conference announcing the fraternity's commitment to raise $10 million for cancer research at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI), pledging to be "The Generation to End Cancer." This is believed the largest gift committed to one charity in men's fraternity history. To acknowledge the commitment, the sixth floor of Huntsman Cancer Hospital will be named "The Sigma Chi International Fraternity Sixth Floor." The gift is a gesture of Sigma Chi's vision of friendship, justice, and learning to ease the suffering of cancer patients and their families at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital in Salt Lake City, Monday, June 15, 2015.

Steve Griffin | The Salt Lake Tribune

Jon and Karen Huntsman, center, stand with representatives of the Sigma Chi International Fraternity "$20k Club" during press conference announcing the fraternity's commitment to raise $10 million for cancer research at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI), pledging to be ìThe Generation to End Cancer.î This is believed the largest gift committed to one charity in menís fraternity history. To acknowledge the commitment, the sixth floor of Huntsman Cancer Hospital will be named ìThe Sigma Chi International Fraternity Sixth Floor.î The gift is a gesture of Sigma Chiís vision of friendship, justice, and learning to ease the suffering of cancer patients and their families at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital in Salt Lake City, Monday, June 15, 2015.

Steve Griffin | The Salt Lake Tribune

Sigma Chi Fraternity philanthropy committee chairman Dan Shaver, right, hugs Michael Greenberg, grand consul of Sigma Chi Fraternity, following a press conference announcing the fraternity's commitment to raise $10 million for cancer research at the Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI), pledging to be "The Generation to End Cancer." This is believed the largest gift committed to one charity in men's fraternity history. To acknowledge the commitment, the sixth floor of Huntsman Cancer Hospital will be named "The Sigma Chi International Fraternity Sixth Floor." The gift is a gesture of Sigma Chi's vision of friendship, justice, and learning to ease the suffering of cancer patients and their families at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital in Salt Lake City, Monday, June 15, 2015.

Steve Griffin | The Salt Lake Tribune

Jon Huntsman smiles after getting a kiss and hug from Sigma Chi International Sweetheart Mary Sugden after she introduced him during a press conference announcing the Sigma Chi International Fraternity's commitment to raise $10 million for cancer research at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI), pledging to be ìThe Generation to End Cancer.î This is believed the largest gift committed to one charity in menís fraternity history. To acknowledge the commitment, the sixth floor of Huntsman Cancer Hospital will be named ìThe Sigma Chi International Fraternity Sixth Floor.î The gift is a gesture of Sigma Chiís vision of friendship, justice, and learning to ease the suffering of cancer patients and their families at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital in Salt Lake City, Monday, June 15, 2015.

Steve Griffin | The Salt Lake Tribune

Jon and Karen Huntsman, center, stand with representatives of the Sigma Chi International Fraternity during press conference announcing the fraternity's commitment to raise $10 million for cancer research at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI), pledging to be "The Generation to End Cancer." This is believed the largest gift committed to one charity in men's fraternity history. To acknowledge the commitment, the sixth floor of Huntsman Cancer Hospital will be named "The Sigma Chi International Fraternity Sixth Floor." The gift is a gesture of Sigma Chi's vision of friendship, justice, and learning to ease the suffering of cancer patients and their families at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital in Salt Lake City, Monday, June 15, 2015.

1 of 11

Steve Griffin | The Salt Lake Tribune Cancer survivor and Sigma Chi, Brandon Plewe, talks about his treatment at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital during press conference announcing the Sigma Chi International Fraternity's commitment to raise $10 million for cancer research at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI), pledging to be "The Generation to End Cancer." This is believed the largest gift committed to one charity in men's fraternity history. To acknowledge the commitment, the sixth floor of Huntsman Cancer Hospital will be named "The Sigma Chi International Fraternity Sixth Floor." The gift is a gesture of Sigma Chi's vision of friendship, justice, and learning to ease the suffering of cancer patients and their families at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital in Salt Lake City, Monday, June 15, 2015. Steve Griffin | The Salt Lake Tribune Jon Huntsman talks about the commitment to curing cancer during a press conference announcing the Sigma Chi International Fraternity's commitment to raise $10 million for cancer research at the Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI), pledging to be "The Generation to End Cancer." This is believed the largest gift committed to one charity in men's fraternity history. To acknowledge the commitment, the sixth floor of Huntsman Cancer Hospital will be named "The Sigma Chi International Fraternity Sixth Floor." The gift is a gesture of Sigma Chi's vision of friendship, justice, and learning to ease the suffering of cancer patients and their families at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital in Salt Lake City, Monday, June 15, 2015. Steve Griffin | The Salt Lake Tribune Jon Huntsman, left, hugs cancer survivor and fellow Sigma Chi brother Brandon Plewe, following a press conference announcing the fraternity's commitment to raise $10 million for cancer research at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI), pledging to be "The Generation to End Cancer." This is believed the largest gift committed to one charity in men's fraternity history. To acknowledge the commitment, the sixth floor of the Huntsman Cancer Hospital will be named "The Sigma Chi International Fraternity Sixth Floor." The gift is a gesture of Sigma Chi's vision of friendship, justice, and learning to ease the suffering of cancer patients and their families at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital in Salt Lake City, Monday, June 15, 2015. Steve Griffin | The Salt Lake Tribune Representatives of the Sigma Chi International Fraternity take pictures during a press conference announcing the fraternity's commitment to raise $10 million for cancer research at the Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI), pledging to be "The Generation to End Cancer." This is believed the largest gift committed to one charity in men's fraternity history. To acknowledge the commitment, the sixth floor of Huntsman Cancer Hospital will be named "The Sigma Chi International Fraternity Sixth Floor." The gift is a gesture of Sigma Chi's vision of friendship, justice, and learning to ease the suffering of cancer patients and their families at the HCI in Salt Lake City, Monday, June 15, 2015. Steve Griffin | The Salt Lake Tribune Jon Huntsman smiles as he hugs Sigma Chi International Sweetheart Mary Sugden after she introduced him during a press conference announcing the Sigma Chi International Fraternity's commitment to raise $10 million for cancer research at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI), pledging to be "The Generation to End Cancer." This is believed the largest gift committed to one charity in men's fraternity history. To acknowledge the commitment, the sixth floor of Huntsman Cancer Hospital will be named "The Sigma Chi International Fraternity Sixth Floor." The gift is a gesture of Sigma Chi's vision of friendship, justice, and learning to ease the suffering of cancer patients and their families at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital in Salt Lake City, Monday, June 15, 2015. Steve Griffin | The Salt Lake Tribune David Huntsman, left, with representatives of the Sigma Chi International Fraternity "$20k Club" during press conference announcing the fraternity's commitment to raise $10 million for cancer research at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI), pledging to be "The Generation to End Cancer." This is believed the largest gift committed to one charity in men's fraternity history. To acknowledge the commitment, the sixth floor of Huntsman Cancer Hospital will be named "The Sigma Chi International Fraternity Sixth Floor." The gift is a gesture of Sigma Chi's vision of friendship, justice, and learning to ease the suffering of cancer patients and their families at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital in Salt Lake City, Monday, June 15, 2015. Steve Griffin | The Salt Lake Tribune David Huntsman, lower left, with representatives of the Sigma Chi International Fraternity during press conference announcing the fraternity's commitment to raise $10 million for cancer research at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI), pledging to be "The Generation to End Cancer." This is believed the largest gift committed to one charity in men's fraternity history. To acknowledge the commitment, the sixth floor of Huntsman Cancer Hospital will be named "The Sigma Chi International Fraternity Sixth Floor." The gift is a gesture of Sigma Chi's vision of friendship, justice, and learning to ease the suffering of cancer patients and their families at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital in Salt Lake City, Monday, June 15, 2015. Steve Griffin | The Salt Lake Tribune Jon and Karen Huntsman, center, stand with representatives of the Sigma Chi International Fraternity "$20k Club" during press conference announcing the fraternity's commitment to raise $10 million for cancer research at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI), pledging to be ìThe Generation to End Cancer.î This is believed the largest gift committed to one charity in menís fraternity history. To acknowledge the commitment, the sixth floor of Huntsman Cancer Hospital will be named ìThe Sigma Chi International Fraternity Sixth Floor.î The gift is a gesture of Sigma Chiís vision of friendship, justice, and learning to ease the suffering of cancer patients and their families at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital in Salt Lake City, Monday, June 15, 2015. Steve Griffin | The Salt Lake Tribune Sigma Chi Fraternity philanthropy committee chairman Dan Shaver, right, hugs Michael Greenberg, grand consul of Sigma Chi Fraternity, following a press conference announcing the fraternity's commitment to raise $10 million for cancer research at the Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI), pledging to be "The Generation to End Cancer." This is believed the largest gift committed to one charity in men's fraternity history. To acknowledge the commitment, the sixth floor of Huntsman Cancer Hospital will be named "The Sigma Chi International Fraternity Sixth Floor." The gift is a gesture of Sigma Chi's vision of friendship, justice, and learning to ease the suffering of cancer patients and their families at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital in Salt Lake City, Monday, June 15, 2015. Steve Griffin | The Salt Lake Tribune Jon Huntsman smiles after getting a kiss and hug from Sigma Chi International Sweetheart Mary Sugden after she introduced him during a press conference announcing the Sigma Chi International Fraternity's commitment to raise $10 million for cancer research at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI), pledging to be ìThe Generation to End Cancer.î This is believed the largest gift committed to one charity in menís fraternity history. To acknowledge the commitment, the sixth floor of Huntsman Cancer Hospital will be named ìThe Sigma Chi International Fraternity Sixth Floor.î The gift is a gesture of Sigma Chiís vision of friendship, justice, and learning to ease the suffering of cancer patients and their families at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital in Salt Lake City, Monday, June 15, 2015. Steve Griffin | The Salt Lake Tribune Jon and Karen Huntsman, center, stand with representatives of the Sigma Chi International Fraternity during press conference announcing the fraternity's commitment to raise $10 million for cancer research at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI), pledging to be "The Generation to End Cancer." This is believed the largest gift committed to one charity in men's fraternity history. To acknowledge the commitment, the sixth floor of Huntsman Cancer Hospital will be named "The Sigma Chi International Fraternity Sixth Floor." The gift is a gesture of Sigma Chi's vision of friendship, justice, and learning to ease the suffering of cancer patients and their families at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital in Salt Lake City, Monday, June 15, 2015.

By Annie Knox The Salt Lake Tribune

· June 16, 2015 7:27 am

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

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.

aknox@sltrib.com

Twitter: @anniebknox