Fun and charity filled the Student Union Theater this past Saturday as the Black Student Union and Alpha Beta Sigma Sorority Incorporated hosted the Annual Sickle Cell Auction.
The auction, which began fashionably late, was unlike a typical date auction where the audience bids on prospective dates for an evening out. There was no benefit other than the satisfaction of helping a noble cause as all proceeds when toward Sickle Cell Research as well as to provide scholarships for children who suffer from Sickle Cell Anemia.
Before the bidding began, emcees Perquida Payne of Alpha Beta Sigma Sorority and Cameron C., a senior at Buffalo State College, presented a slide show to inform the audience about Sickle Cell Anemia.
According to Payne, Sickle Cell Anemia is a disease in which red blood cells become deformed from their usual circular shape and are jagged and elongated or "sickle" shaped.
The condition is very dangerous and painful for suffers as the abnormal cells stick together easily, making it difficult for blood to flow through veins. Sickle Cell is mostly common in African Americans.
"One in 12 African Americans carry the trait for Sickle Cell and many don't know it because they don't get tested," Payne said.
Alpha Beta Sigma Sorority became aware of the disease when it became known that the daughter of a friend of a founder of Alpha Beta Sigma suffers from Sickle Cell Disease.
"We decided to make it our philanthropy after seeing what she suffered through," Payne said.
Bidding began very well as the auction raised $300 dollars within the first three participants auctioned off.
Roxann Julien, a UB graduate student and the third person auctioned, raised $252, the most raised by a single person in the auction.
Chris Smith, a senior at Buffalo State College, raised $85 and his attempt to dance "The Superman" by Soulja Boy got many cheers from the audience.
Omega Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated performed a skit and raised $105.
At one point, a small child wandered onto the stage and began to dance as the DJ tested songs. Even though he was not an actual participant in the auction, the audience began to bid on him and he raised $136.
Kareem Youngblood of Iota Phi Theta fraternity Incorporated was not auctioned off but did make a $120 donation toward the auction on behalf of his fraternity.
Mike Davis, a junior, danced a more accurate rendition of "The Superman" dance and raised $110. During his performance, the DJ began to play Flipside by Freeway and several audience members joined him on stage and began to dance with him,
During an impromptu intermission, various fraternities and sororities in attendance danced on stage as well as performed step routines. Afterwards emcee Cameron C. and the DJ did a roll call of people from the New York City boroughs and other notable areas. When Harlem was called, the DJ played the song Aunt Jackie and more members of the audience got on stage to dance, which awarded them $10 toward the auction.
Emcee Perquida Payne then auctioned herself off and raised $50.
Some people even found the Sickle Cell Auction as an opportunity to do a good deed within a good deed as they brought children that they sponsor though the Big brother/sister - Little brother/sister program.
Adriana V. and her "little sister" Christina who came onto the stage in matching outfits raised $52.
Beta Sigma Kappa Fraternity Incorporated did a step routine and raised $140, matching that amount afterwards.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated handed out yellow roses to ladies who bid on them and raised $140. In honor of one of their brothers who suffers from Sickle Cell, they donated $200.
Alexis and Chevon of Alpha Beta Sigma Sorority Incorporated raised $150 and matched that amount.
The finale of the Sickle Cell Auction was a rather raunchy performance by Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity Incorporated, which featured whipped cream, chocolate sauce and several flustered female audience members that raised $231, the most raised by a group in the auction.
"It was good," said Kim P., a senior psychology major. "I think the Lambda's did a good show and they raised a lot of money.
In total, the Sickle Cell Auction raised $2598.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
