Phi Mu Philanthropy Comes Full Circle

…when Sandee Hooker put her six year old daughter on the school bus, her friends asked her why she would take such a risk. “I want my child’s life to be as normal as possible,” she would say. Her reply never changed.

Normalcy was a treat for little Elizabeth Hooker, who was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia at just three and a half. The disease made the child’s health fragile and put her at risk for infections other children could fend off.

But thanks to the Medical College of Georgia (MCG) in Augusta, a Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) hospital, Elizabeth and other very ill children benefited from CMN donations which provided programs tempering the painful treatments and tests with summer camps, celebrity visits, and a beloved play therapist.

When Phi Mu chose to support CMN as its national philanthropy in 1986, members may not have fully realized the impact their gifts could have on children just like Elizabeth all over the United States. For some, it changed their lives forever.

“I remember it all,” Elizabeth says today. “I remember the summer camps, the play therapist, Frances Friedman, and all that CMN did to provide opportunities to escape the pain of chemo, spinal taps and bone marrow tests every eight weeks.”

Amazingly, Elizabeth never forgot the happy respites made possible by CMN. Those experiences stayed with her, along with the memory of Frances Friedman her play therapist.

You see, little Elizabeth Hooker grew to be a lovely young woman and went on to pledge Phi Mu at Georgia Collage and State University in 2001. Despite being a legacy to another Greek organization, she chose Phi Mu because it gave her the opportunity, through its philanthropic efforts, to give back to CMN during her college experience.

Following her undergraduate work, she continues to pursue her master’s degree and six year certification in school counseling. She plans to begin work on a doctorial program in 2006. She also plans to continue her support for Phi Mu Foundation.

True to the Phi Mu Creed, Elizabeth has remained steadfast through her giving to the Foundation. In addition, she has served as the membership adviser for Kappa Mu Chapter at Georgia Southern.

“I love Phi Mu. I know I want to do whatever I can to stay connected,” she says.