The Generation to End Cancer™
Building community, strengthening campus collaboration, and turning friendly competition into real impact for cancer research and patient support.
Derby Days is Sigma Chi's signature philanthropy—an energetic, campus-wide week of events that brings together students, alumni, faculty, and community partners to compete, volunteer, and fundraise for cancer research and patient support.
Chapters across the U.S. and Canada host Derby Days as a way to strengthen community, build positive campus collaboration, and turn friendly competition into real impact.
Our Derby Days efforts support the Huntsman Cancer Institute (through the Huntsman Cancer Foundation), a leading center for cancer research, treatment, and innovation.1 Sigma Chi chapters raise funds throughout the year, with Derby Days serving as a hallmark moment to rally our campus community around the cause.
Every dollar raised helps fuel progress against cancer—supporting researchers, clinicians, and programs working toward better prevention, more effective treatments, and improved patient outcomes.2 At its heart, this work is for people and families navigating cancer, and for the future we can help build together.
Derby Days is designed to be inclusive and campus-facing. Everyone is welcome to join us in making a difference.
Compete in teams, challenges, and events throughout the week
Attend events, donate, volunteer, and cheer on your friends
Join events, sponsor initiatives, and help spread awareness
Mentor current members, donate, and attend signature events
Support programming and help us reach our fundraising goals
April 17–19, 2026
James Madison Park, Madison, WI
While each campus customizes the week, Derby Days commonly features a mix of competitive, creative, and service-oriented events.
Games, relays, and tournaments
Talent and themed performances
Volunteer and engagement
Donation drives and events
Awards and recognition
This is our first year back on campus, and bringing Derby Days to Madison matters because it reflects what Sigma Chi is called to be: a brotherhood that leads with Friendship, Justice, and Learning—and turns those values into action through service and community impact.
We're committed to building something that uplifts our campus culture, strengthens collaboration across the UW–Madison community, and supports the broader fight to end cancer. Sigma Chi's mission is to develop values-based leaders committed to the betterment of character, campus, and community—and Derby Days is a direct expression of that mission.3
Sigma Chi's broader campaign, The Generation to End Cancer™, includes a major multi-year commitment supporting advanced cancer research and innovation at Huntsman.5
Our sponsors and community partners help make Derby Days possible. Their support strengthens every part of the week—from event logistics and participation to visibility and momentum—so more of what we raise can go directly toward impact. We're grateful for organizations that invest in student-led leadership, service, and the mission of supporting cancer research and patient care.
Sponsor logos will be displayed here
Sponsoring Derby Days is a practical way to support UW–Madison students and a cause with national reach. Sponsors can contribute through:
Contribute directly toward the Derby Days fundraising goal
Materials, services, space, or event-day needs
Help amplify participant fundraising efforts
Show up, volunteer, or co-host an initiative
In return, we aim to recognize sponsors through appropriate on-site visibility, digital acknowledgment, and post-event reporting—while keeping the focus where it belongs: building community and driving real impact.