The spirit of unity and philanthropy was palpable this past weekend as the Beta Theta Pi fraternity at the University of Kansas hosted its annual Buckets For Luke sorority basketball tournament.
The event, now in its third year, honors the fraternity’s brother, Luke Karel, who has battled Acute Myeloid Leukemia since 2021. This year’s tournament generated approximately $17,500 for the Children’s Hospital Colorado and the University of Kansas Cancer Center, where Luke has received treatment.
Buckets For Luke began in the spring of 2023 as a way for the Alpha Nu chapter of Beta Theta Pi to support Luke after his relapse in the fall of 2022. This year saw participation from more than ten Greek houses, culminating in a championship game where Alpha Chi Omega emerged victorious.
“Starting out as a sorority basketball tournament has turned into so much more with so many people making a difference in the race to support the fight against cancer,” said Eli Stahl, Beta Theta Pi’s philanthropy chair who has spearheaded the event over the last two years. “Being able to have a serious part in the tournament and see firsthand the difference and impact it has on others has been very cool, considering the cause hits so close to home for so many.”
The event’s impact extends beyond fundraising. Beta Theta Pi has also forged a partnership with the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), hosting swabbing drives during Buckets For Luke. To date, these efforts have resulted in over 550 students at the University of Kansas being added to the registry, with an additional six brothers from Beta having gone on to donate bone marrow and save lives.
Luke Karel, for whom the tournament is named, has been deeply moved by the overwhelming amount of support.
