More times than not when a charity event is focused on a disease, it most likely will focus on cancer. But not this time around. The sisters of Delta Phi Epsilon hosted their first annual 65 Roses Gala on Tuesday April 14, 2015, with a focus of Cystic Fibrosis (CF). The event, which was hosted in Downs Hall, had a big turnout, with attendees wearing beautiful dresses and suits, excited to see what was going to happen.

The event started off with attendees having a chance to buy raffle tickets and test their luck in winning one of the several items that were donated to Delta Phi Epsilon for the event. The items included a Tom Seaver signed baseball, a Starbucks gift basket which included a $25 dollar gift card to the coffee shop, a Michael Kors purse, and a $100 Gourmet Food Basket.  

Before the dinner even began, people were enjoying their time, including alumni of Kean University and Delta Phi Epsilon Danielle Lyon, who says, “I hope a lot of money is donated to this great cause, but so far I am having an amazing time!”

Time went by before Jessica Kramer, who is a sophomore majoring in special education with a focus of communications, sister of Delta Phi Epsilon, and the philanthropy fundraiser chairperson of the sorority, stepped up to the podium to call everyone to their seats. She spoke on behalf of the sorority, thanking everyone for attending the event, and continued with her speech by explaining what CF is—which is a genetic disease that affects the lungs and digestive tract by causing thick mucus to build up in those areas—and ending with the fact of how about 30,000 people in the United States alone have CF.

Another attendee, Alex Rankin, a sophomore majoring in occupational therapy, comments about how CF “is a great cause to raise awareness and money for, and I am glad that Delta Phi Epsilon has given the opportunity for Kean University students to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis.”

As everyone was enjoying a nice meal for dinner, Alex Tarletsky, a sophomore at Fairleigh Dickinson University with CF and the guest speaker for the night, stepped onto the stage.. “At glance, you will not know that I have CF. You may never until I tell you,” Tarletsky begins his speech, “[but then again] I was supposed to die at [the] age of 18…That’s a fact and I’m 20!”

As the crowd goes wild, giving him a standing ovation, Tarletsky explains to the crowd on how he was diagnosed with CF at the age of eight months, and how the doctor told him and his parents that he won’t live past the age of 18. “I came here tonight to raise funds and awareness for CF…and I would like to thank Jessica Kramer and Stephanie Kennedy for inviting me.”

The life expectancy for someone who is diagnosed with CF is between the ages of 40 and 50 and “hopefully CF won’t stand for Cystic Fibrosis any longer,” comments Tarletsky. As he said, he went to the gala to help raise funds and awareness for the cause, but he himself has also dedicated a part of his life to raise money and awareness for the cause as well.

Tarletsky, his parents, and a few other notable people in Tarletsky’s life has created a fundraising program called Coaches Cure CF. This organization raises funds by hosting basketball games throughout the year. “[Tarletsky’s] speech was really good; he really opened my eyes. I didn’t know that the life expectancy was so long; at least those who are living with Cystic Fibrosis can live a life,” comments sophomore and psychology major Allison Paladino.

After Tarletsky finished his speech, everyone ran to the dance floor. The music was pumping through the speakers and everyone began dancing the night away. A lot of the attendees enjoyed themselves, some even commented that Tarletsky was one of the best highlights of that night. “Alex was phenomenal,” Joey Heunermund, a junior majoring in psychology says, “he communicated with the audience well and everyone felt welcomed.”

All in all, everyone enjoyed the night by conversing, dancing, and donating money to CF. As Stephanie Kennedy, who is a junior majoring in speech language and hearing sciences, says, “it was so wonderful to see everyone come together to support one of [Delta Phi Epsilon’s] philanthropies, The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.” Kennedy continues to say, “Kramer…and I hope that next years’ 65 Roses Gala event has double the attendance [then] this year!”