The Mandela Room of the Old University Union in Binghamton University will be transformed into a rose-themed dance hall on Thursday to help raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

The first annual 65 Roses Gala, hosted by the Delta Phi Epsilon sorority, will feature a silent auction and a performance by the Pappy Parker Players. ’65 roses’ is what some children with cystic fibrosis call their disease because the words are easier for them to pronounce. The rose has been adopted by the foundation as its national symbol.

The silent auction will feature items donated from local stores including a Vera Bradley bag from Portobello Row, as well as gift certificates for Escape State Street, CyberCaf√É© West and White Rose Day Spa & Hair Design, among others. Donations will also be accepted throughout the evening and all money raised will go to find cures and control for the disease.

According to Rebecca Lefkowitz, a senior majoring in philosophy, politics and law and DPhiE’s philanthropy chair, the event, which is open to all students and community members, is something everyone should look forward to.

‘We’ve been working on it for a while now,’ Lefkowitz said.

This is the first fall philanthropy event for the sorority, which usually holds a date auction in the spring.

Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the event should last until 9:30 p.m. Tickets cost $5 in advance or $8 at the door and all proceeds go directly to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

For those worried about missing the Downtown scene, DJ Danilo Bandovic of The Rathskeller Pub will be spinning beats throughout the event.

‘Hopefully the Downtown crowd won’t be deterred,’ Bandovic said. ‘It’s for a good cause, there’s no reason people shouldn’t come out.’

Lefkowitz agreed.

‘It’s Danilo DJing, so you can pretend you’re in The Rat,’ she said.