Pancakes and a former member of the Penn State greek community brought together all 23 Panhellenic Council (PHC) chapter presidents for the first time Friday night.

The PHC hosted Flapjack Friday from 11 p.m. Friday until 3 a.m. Saturday at Kappa Alpha Order, 234 E. Beaver Ave. The event, which benefited Penn State greek alumnus Tom Coursen, raised about $3,500, said Ann Marie DiPietro, PHC president. About 500 people attended, and more than 1,500 pancakes were served, DiPietro said.

DiPietro said Coursen, Class of 1997, and former member of Zeta Beta Tau fraternity, was diagnosed with sarcoma five years ago and has undergone various treatments. In December, Coursen was directed to a doctor in Germany who will perform laser surgery to attempt to remove 30 tumors in Coursen's lungs, but the surgery, which is not covered by Coursen's health insurance, costs $50,000.

"A friend of the family called the greek life office and informed us of the situation," DiPietro said.

DiPietro (junior-nursing and women's studies) said she and the 23 other PHC chapter presidents began planning the event in February.

"It's sort of a coming together of the greek community," she said. "It's cool to see these presidents take time out of their busy schedules to participate in this and not expect any credit or anything."

Sarah Donnenberg, PHC vice president of communications, said the event showed "greek unity in something other than Thon."

DiPietro said each sorority chapter had members sell $5 tickets for the event. About 250 presale tickets were sold. The PHC also sold bracelets that said, "We are Penn State Greeks."

DiPietro said Frank Keller, a member of Kappa Alpha Order fraternity, and five or six Panhellenic chapter presidents served as "chefs" for the event.

Keller said it is important to help members of the greek community, including alumni.

Hillary Gupta, president of Delta Zeta sorority, agreed with Keller.

"It's like we say," she said, "forever Greek."