"After joining AEPhi, I realized I wanted to do something bigger than myself and help the chapter do the same. Since then, I have served as Vice President of Philanthropy, and I have truly learned what it means to be a leader and understand our philanthropies’ importance. I have met so many people whose lives have been transformed for the better because of our philanthropies. The impact on our community and the people around us is why I love planning these events for our community and sisterhood. I am so honored that I get to plan these events and watch the impact spread far beyond our chapter, and through our communities. "

-Lucie Towers, Vice President of Philanthropy

Sharsheret is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to addressing the unique challenges faced by young Jewish women living with breast cancer. Sharsheret, Hebrew for "chain," was founded in 2001 by Rochelle Shoretz, who recognized the need for a breast cancer organization that would provide culturally-sensitive support for Jewish women after her own diagnosis at age 28. Sharsheret's programs include Links, their one-on-one peer support network, education, outreach programs, the Sharsheret Booklet Series, quality of life programs and Sharsheret on Campus, an outreach program for college and university students nationwide to raise awareness about breast health.

​Alpha Epsilon Phi was proud to add Sharsheret as an official philanthropy in 2008. Members of Alpha Epsilon Phi have supported Sharsheret's mission to support young Jewish women facing breast cancer by spreading the word, fundraising, creating teams for local walks, runs, and marathons for breast cancer, hosting local Sharsheret events, and organizing health fairs.

To learn more about Sharsheret, check out this link here! 

The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation was adopted as one of AEPhi’s national philanthropies in 2000.  The Foundation was founded in 1988 by AEΦ alumna Elizabeth Meyer Glaser and her two close friends, AEΦ alumna Susie Bernstein Zeegen and Susan DeLaurentis, shortly after Elizabeth and her husband, Paul, discovered that she, along with their two children Ariel and Jake, were infected with the AIDS virus as a result of a blood transfusion.

The Foundation had one critical mission: to bring hope to children with AIDS.  With little research being focused on the issue of pediatric AIDS, the three women sought to bring awareness and a possible cure to the innocent children around the world affected by HIV/AIDS.

Through the work of the Foundation and partnerships like the one with Alpha Epsilon Phi, research and knowledge have greatly increased.  The number of children born with HIV is decreasing.  The life expectancy of the children with HIV infection is increasing and they are getting to live healthier, happier lives.  Though Elizabeth did lose her own battle with AIDS, her spirit lives on through the efforts of the foundation.  The foundation has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars towards AIDS research in the 22 years since its inception.

AEPhi is proud to be able to support such a worthy cause through financial support of the Foundation and by raising awareness about pediatric AIDS. Chapters across the country hold events to both raise money for the Foundation and educate their campus communities about the unique issues facing young people living with HIV and AIDS.

To learn more about the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, click here!