Eating chicken for a cause

Think you've got what it takes to eat a heaping basketful of chicken wings faster than anyone else, and do it for a good cause?

This month you will have your chance to prove it, because Hurricane Grill and Wings will be hosting a wing-eating competition to benefit the Reach for the Stars Foundation.

The Reach for the Stars Foundation an independent, not-for-profit foundation dedicated to providing services and support to individuals and families struggling with cystic fibrosis.

Cystic fibrosis is an incurable disease that is characterized by the body's abundant production of very thick mucus. This mucus becomes an ideal environment for infections and causes blockages throughout the body.

The disease most commonly manifests itself in the form of constant infections and buildup of mucus plugging in the lung tissue. The disease also impacts the digestive system, as the mucus blocks the release of enzymes from the pancreas causing mal-absorption and subsequently a failure to thrive. The disease currently affects over 30,000 children and young adults in the U.S., and only about 50 percent of individuals with the disease live past the age of 30.

Reach for the Stars focuses on funding transportation and lodging needed for emergency medical treatment of those affected, therapeutic treatment including respiratory therapy and nutritional

supplementation, medication costs, and other needs of individuals with the disease.

The parents of Ellie Levy, an FGCU student who has cystic fibrosis, created the foundation. Levy is a sophomore majoring in communications and philosophy. She created a Reach for the Stars Service Team within the Honors College, and is excited about using the team as a way to host fun events that educate about the disease as well as fundraise.

"Reach for the Stars is dedicated to enhancing the quality-of-life of those with cystic fibrosis so that they will be healthy enough to be the beneficiaries of on-going research and medication advancements. Cystic Fibrosis is not only physically debilitating, but carries a heavy financial and psychological burden for families," Levy says.

The event will be held Friday, February 18 at 6 p.m. at Hurricane Grill and Wings in Coconut Point Mall. The event will also feature a mystery NFL Celebrity Guest Judge, and students who are not in the competition can meet and talk to him.

An NFL prize will be awarded to the winner of the contest. The entry fee for the contest is $5 in advance or $7 at the event. The fee as well as 15% of everything sold at Hurricane Grill will be donated to Reach for the Stars.

"For anybody who goes, everything that you do that night is going to have an impact. Whether you are in the competition or just want to go to for the festivities and food or drinks, you know that you are really helping a family that needs it," says Levy.

Anybody who is interested in signing up for the competition can e-mail Levy at ealevy@eagle.fgcu.edu. Any groups or organizations with multiple contestants can contact Levy for discounted entry fee rates.