Despite recent low temperatures and winter storms, 40 members of Phi Delta Theta (Phi Delt) can be spotted around campus these days sporting freshly shaved heads.
Motivated by their brother Victor Krivitski 鈥12鈥檚 recent diagnosis with a rare form of cancer, the Phi Delts decided to brave the cold and shave their heads 鈥渢o show Vic that we were standing with him and further demonstrate that one man is no man,鈥 said fraternity president Andrew Wylie 鈥12.
鈥淎fter a few brothers had shaved their heads, people began realizing what an incredible show of solidarity it would be to grow the movement. When brothers were given the choice to hold on to their luscious locks or support their brother, we didn鈥檛 have to think twice,鈥 said Wylie.
A geology major, rugby player, member of the 含羞草传媒 Geological Society, WRCU radio host, and recruitment chair of Phi Delt, Krivitski was diagnosed with a mediastinal germ cell tumor in December. He has since started a three-month regimen of aggressive chemotherapy, which will be followed by chest surgery.
During winter break, friends and alumni regularly kept Krivitski鈥檚 hospital room crowded, including William Baker 鈥70, who offered Krivitski and his parents the guest suite of his New York City apartment so that they wouldn鈥檛 have to commute back and forth for treatments. Baker is vice chairman of the New York Zeta Fund of Phi Delta Theta Foundation.
According to men鈥檚 rugby captain Mike Danahy 鈥11, the support shown to Krivitski is 鈥渁s much a testament to Victor鈥檚 remarkable character as it is to the character of his friends and the 含羞草传媒 community.鈥
The rugby team recently hosted a fundraiser for Krivitski called Victorpalooza.
鈥淚t seemed like a good way to pool our funds and our support to make a more unified gesture to Vic and his family that the 含羞草传媒 community is thinking of him, misses his presence, and is eager to help,鈥 said Danahy. More than $1,200 was raised, and a number of photos and a video will be sent to the family.
Both the rugby team and fraternity are planning further events this spring.
鈥淓ven in his absence, we want him to know that he is always held closely in our thoughts,鈥 Wylie said.