Appalachian State University’s newest sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta, held its Healthy Living Campaign Sept. 29-30, to raise awareness of diabetes in the university and Boone communities.

In addition to raising awareness, the two-day event was part of Alpha Gamma Delta’s national philanthropy and encouraged students to take the healthy living pledge.

Samantha Avanzino, Alpha Gamma Delta’s leadership consultant, said they wanted the campaign to promote awareness of diabetes as well as helping the Appalachian community.

“[We wanted] to just help people in the App State community to create their healthy living commitment, so we came up with the Healthy Living Campaign,” Avanzino said. “The Healthy Living Campaign gets the community together to make their pledges.”

On Sept. 29, students were able to sign a healthy living pledge at the Alpha Gamma Delta table in Plemmons Student Union.

For every pledge signed, $1 was donated to Camp Carolina Trails, a summer camp for children with diabetes. Approximately $300 was raised from the pledge signings.

The following evening, over 90 female Appalachian students followed through with their healthy living pledges by attending a Zumba session in the Blue Ridge Ballroom.

Heather Bissell, a mother of a child with Type 1 diabetes, attended the event to speak about her experiences raising a child with the disease.

“Our family was warmly welcomed and at the union, and I was able to share with the girls and Alpha Gam staff, our story with T1D, from diagnosis to the daily impact on our lives,” Bissell said. “I was able to share how amazing, funny, beautiful and strong my two-year-old daughter is along with all she faces day-to-day.”

Bissell said she plans to stay in contact with the girls at Alpha Gamma Delta and would be more than willing to participate in other events with them. She said she hopes that, along with the sorority, they can educate the community about the life-changing and threatening disease to help bring awareness and community sensitivity.

“Future events will be up to what the new members want to do,” Avanzino said. “I am excited to see what the women are empowered and excited to do and is sure they will continue to hold events that promote healthy living.”

Story: Clare McPherson, News Copy Editor