Pi Kappa Alpha hosted the second annual Cycle for Life event at the Kent State Recreation Center this past Saturday, raising $5,200 through the event and fundraising.

The Cycle for Life event was created by Leslie Trudeau, for her son, Taylor Trudeau, a former member of Pi Kappa Alpha at the University of New Hampshire, who passed away from leukemia in 2008.

Trudeau came up with the fundraising idea and discussed it at the fraternity’s national conference, where Kent State’s Pi Kappa Alpha chapter decided to bring it to the university, according to Tyler Verma, philanthropy chairman of Pi Kappa Alpha.

“As a Greek organization we can make a difference (because) a lot of people are affected by blood cancer research,” Verma said.

Greek life members and non-Greek life members participated in the event’s stationary bike marathon by paying $10 per time slot.

Kent State’s chapter won a national award for raising the most money per member for a first time chapter doing this event, said Verma.

With the success of the event from last year and this year, the fraternity goes all out for it.

“Blood cancer research affects many people and gives us more (of a) reason to go all out for the event,” said Austin Pratt, internal vice president of Pi Kappa Alpha.

The event provided a way to bring everyone together.

“The most important thing is giving back,” said Matt Bianco, president of Pi Kappa Alpha.

For more information, visit www.taylorcycleforlife.org/

Kayla Sturm is the Greek life reporter for The Kent Stater. Contact her at [email protected].