Alpha Omicron Pi’s International Philanthropy supports Arthritis, Juvenile Arthritis and related diseases. Since 1967 when we adopted the Arthritis Foundation and Canadian Arthritis Society as our international philanthropy, over one million dollars has been raised by AOIIs to help researchers find a cure for this crippling disease that, so often, targets women as its victims. Chapters also donate time to countless local community projects to benefit children, the elderly, the less fortunate, and others.

Alpha Omicron Pi encourages campus involvement. Through involvement in campus activities, our members reach out to the entire student body. When members are actively involved in campus organizations and activities of their choosing, AOII chapters are enriched by helping each sister to be open to new ideas, topics and experiences. We learn from each others special interests and we grow from these experiences.

Did You Know??

• Nearly 70 million American adults (or one in every three) have some type of arthritis or chronic joint symptoms.
• Forty one million of those affected are women.
• Three out of four people affected by osteoarthritis — the most common form of arthritis — are women.
• 9 out of 10 people who have lupus are women.
• Rheumatoid arthritis affects 1.5 million women or 71 percent of all cases of RA.
• Four of every five people affected with osteoporosis are women.
• Fibromyalgia has been diagnosed in 3.7 million Americans, 3.3 million of whom are women.

Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, lupus, and osteoporosis are just a few of the various forms of arthritis and related conditions that are more prevalent in women. The term “arthritis” encompasses more than 100 diseases and conditions that affect joints, the surrounding tissues and other connective tissues. Arthritis can cause mild to severe pain in the joints, as well as joint tenderness and swelling. Some of the diseases also can affect other parts of the body, including the skin and internal organs.

This semester Beta Zeta raised over one thousand dollars in their first annual Philanthropy event on campus. We sponsored a “Toss Out Arthritis” event, which was a cornhole tournament.