PHILADELPHIA, PA - May 7, 2008 - /PRNewswire/ -- Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. announced today that it is celebrating its ongoing partnership with the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and their work to eradicate cancer in children. The celebration will be held at the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN, May 12-13, 2008.

The membership of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., has taken on the awesome responsibility of sponsoring events at the local levels, educating and making citizens aware of the great work of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and the ongoing need to highlight health/wellness, especially for children who need it most. The fraternity has held various golf tournaments throughout the country to raise funds for St. Jude and in 2007 launched its "Sunday of Hope Project" in partnership with churches across the country, aimed at raising funds that directly impact on the lives of children with cancer who are able to avail themselves of the great services provided by St. Jude Children's Research Center.

This celebration is being sponsored by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, to better familiarize the leadership and members of Kappa Alpha Psi with their facilities and operations, and to encourage the long-term relationship that is expected to grow with the participation of other Greek-lettered organizations. The entire National Leadership of the fraternity, as well as the Top Ten (10) contributing Churches, and the Top Five (5) Kappa Chapters are expected to attend.

According to Grand Polemarch (president) Dwayne M. Murray, Esq., "Our St. Jude initiative has exceeded our initial goals, and we are looking forward to increased emphasis on health/wellness issues and increased support from our more than 650 local alumni and undergraduate chapters and the partnerships they have established with churches and other philanthropic entities. This is one of the many ways we are seeking to inspire members and our constituents to increase our contributions to the betterment of mankind."

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. has supported the efforts of St Jude for years and today's announcement acknowledges the relationship in perpetuity and that Kappa Alpha Psi is true to its commitments, especially for our children. As a result of the fraternity's overall efforts, in 2010 the lobby in the Translational Trials Unit wing of the hospital will be dedicated in its honor

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. is an international organization founded on the campus of Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana on January 5, 1911. Since its inception, it has trained over 125,000 men, particularly undergraduates, for leadership roles in their communities and the attainment of a high degree of excellence in their academic pursuits. The International Headquarters is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Fact Sheet:
State of Children's Health in the United States

More than ever before America's Children need an advocate for their health. The following is a brief synopsis on the state of children's health in the United States.

-- Cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease in children.

-- Asthma has more than doubled since 1980 affecting 1 in 4 and is the leading chronic disease among American children.

-- Leukemia and brain cancer have increased 23 percent and 28 percent respectively since the 1970's.

-- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has increased from 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 150 in less than 20 years, making ASD the fastest growing developmental disorder.

-- 4.4 Million children have ADHD, with 2.5 million receiving prescribed medications for the disorder.

-- 1 in 6 children has a developmental and/or behavioral disorder (ADD,speech and learning delay).

-- 1 in 6 children are now considered overweight.

-- Obesity has more than tripled from 5% in the 1970's to 18% today.

-- The rate of premature births increased nearly 31 percent between 1981 and 2003.

-- The U.S. has the second worst infant mortality among 33 industrialized nations, tied with Hungary, Malta, Poland and Slovakia (2006).

Source: Journal of the American Medical Association (Briefs).

SOURCE Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY, INC.

KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY, INC.

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