Sisterhood is the idea of unending unity, of family. When a member of a family passes away, it impacts all that knew them long-term.  It is a period of adjustment, and a period of relentless sadness and unending strength. 

The sisters of Sigma Beta Chi Sorority are currently facing the struggle of mourning. Courtesy of Kean University and Sigma Beta Chi Sorority alumna Florencia Scuderi, this is the story of Miluska "Millie" Aguinaga, a 2012 alumna of both Kean University and Sigma Beta Chi Sorority.  

In 2010, Millie was misdiagnosed with Hepatic Steatosis, more commonly referred to as "Fatty Liver Disease." In actuality, what the doctors believed was Hepatic Steatosis was a rare combination of illnesses that were simultaneously attacking her liver.

In November of 2015, Millie was officially diagnosed with Cirrhosis of the liver, as well as several other issues that aided to her decline. The advance of the illness had eliminated nearly 80 percent of her liver function. She was placed on the organ transplant list in November in 2015. 

After a long wait with no resolution, Millie passed away on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

"She fought a long and difficult battle with the biggest smile and the most hopeful heart," said Scuderi, a long time friend of Millie's. 

In the wake of their sister's passing, Sigma Beta Chi Sorority did all it could to support Millie's family in that difficult time. These measures consisted of fundraising for the family, including $3,000 for funeral expenses, and making "Wonder Woman" shirts in Millie's honor, since her nickname was "Wonder Woman." During this period, the sisterhood made the decision to change the organization's philanthropy to Donate Life New Jersey, a partner program of the New Jersey Sharing Network (NJSN). Both nonprofit organizations promote organ and tissue donation and help to save countless lives of those awaiting organ transplants.

"Our sisterhood made the decision to change our philanthropy to Donate Life New Jersey to help those who are fighting the same battle that our sister fought against the long transplant list," said Victoria Kimberlin, junior elementary education and sociology double major and Vice President of Sigma Beta Chi Sorority. 

This past August, the sisterhood participated in the NJSN Celebration of Life 5K Walk in Lincroft, New Jersey. The organization also raised over $500 for the Celebration of Life 5K and intend to actively participate in any further NJSN events in the future to honor Millie. 

In the wake of Millie's passing, the sisters of Sigma Beta Chi Sorority seem to have found a new purpose, a new way to better serve the community and the souls awaiting organs, while simultaneously honoring the memory of their sister. In October 2016, the sorority will be hosting an informative program on organ and tissue donation and how Kean University students can actively fight for the organ and tissue donation cause. The sorority also plans to host many donor registration drives throughout the next academic year, and its excitement and motivation for the cause is plentiful. 

"I am so excited for this upcoming year, with our change in philanthropy, because it gives us all the opportunity to truly honor someone who really embodied the idea of sisterhood," said Corrinne Hoffman, senior secondary education-history major and Historian for Sigma Beta Chi Sorority. 

"I am extremely excited to see all of my hardworking sisters come together for this great cause. I truly think that we can make a difference with this philanthropy because it is something that is so close to all of our hearts. Millie will always be with us through love and eternal sisterhood," said Julia Frank, senior psychology major and President of Sigma Beta Chi Sorority. 

Out of a terrible loss, something has bloomed beautiful. The sisters of Sigma Beta Chi Sorority have found a purpose out of their tragedy, and have decided to channel the memory of Millie into a cause that could potentially save thousands of lives. The sisterhood lost a loved one, but out of that sadness appears the chance to save someone else's. 

In memory of Miluska "Millie" Aguinaga.