Union’s chapter of Alpha Phi Omega (APO) will host a fundraiser in honor of Alexander Askenazy ’20 Sunday, Feb. 11, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Messa Rink.
The 19-year-old passed away in his residence hall last October from an existing medical condition.
“Skate for Alex” includes skating and trivia. A minimum donation of $5 is required to participate.
Proceeds from the event will benefit Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (CURE). Donations will be accepted until Feb. 16.
APO aims to raise $2,000 for CURE.
“Alex and I talked a lot about our plans for the future,” said Lindsey Randle '20. “He was hoping to develop new drugs to cure diseases. I am sure he ultimately intended to find a cure for his own. On the night of Alex's death, Kyle (Doney '20) told me, 'If I had the skillset I would drop everything and find a cure.' There is no way we can even come close to doing what Alex could have done throughout his career, but this fundraiser is our way of helping him get a little closer to his goal."
A biochemistry major from Albuquerque, N.M., Alex was a member of APO. He was an avid hockey fan and played goalie for Union's club hockey team. He was also president of the fencing club.
“Some of Alex's friends hit a point where we felt like we needed to do something,” said Arielle Singer ‘18. “We started putting together this fundraiser to raise awareness of epilepsy around campus and the impact it has on our community. We have been overwhelmed by the amount of support we have seen from the faculty and students at Union.”
For information on how to participate in the fundraiser, contact Singer at singera@union.edu or Brian Zick '19 at zickb@union.edu.