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For Bradley sophomore Connor Higgins, a Media Production major and the philanthropy chair of, this semester’s philanthropy week carries a deeper meaning than ever before.

Each semester, the fraternity rallies together to raise money for childhood cancer research through the. But this fall, Higgins and his fraternity brothers are channeling their energy into a cause that hits close to home—the, which supports research for signet-ring colon cancer.

Higgins lost his father, Mike, to the same rare and aggressive form of cancer on Aug. 24.

“My family and I have been supporting the Michael P. Brown Foundation for years,” Higgins said. “Then about two years ago, my dad was diagnosed with the same kind of colon cancer as Michael P. Brown.”

Over the summer, he discussed the idea of changing their fall philanthropy event with his dad. “He was very proud and excited to see us raise money for something that affected our entire family,” Higgins said. “Unfortunately, he wasn’t around to see me get the ball rolling.”

Now, with the support of his Pike fraternity brothers, he is determined to make this year’s event their most impactful yet.

“I want people to remember my dad as the selfless and hardworking man he was,” Higgins shared. “You could talk to anyone who knew him, and they’d tell you he never put himself first. He always thought of others before himself, and that’s what I loved most about him.”

Pi Kappa Alpha is currently collecting donations, gift cards, and experiences to auction off, with all proceeds going to the Michael P. Brown Foundation. Philanthropy week starts Oct. 20, with the on Oct. 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“It was really important that I raise money for something that affected him and so many others,” Higgins said. “Even before he passed, I wanted to work on it. Now that he’s gone, it means even more. We need to keep fighting until we find a cure for colon cancer.”

For more information or to donate to the auction, please contact Connor Higgins at [email protected].

—Emily Potts