Students stayed “Up ’til Dawn” Wednesday night writing letters to help save the lives of children living with cancer.
Up ’til Dawn, a student-led, student-run program hosted by colleges and universities nationwide, raises funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. The program unites students, faculty, sponsors and the community with a common goal.
St. Jude was the first hospital to cure acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common form of children’s leukemia. It has have improved the cure rate from four percent in 1962 to 80 percent today. St. Jude’s has also helped to increase the overall survival rate of childhood cancer from less than 20 percent to more than 70 percent today.
Ana Ruiz, a senior Spanish and international studies major, is on the executive board of directors for Up ’til Dawn. She first became involved in the program when she visited the hospital in Memphis.
“After seeing all of the remarkable research and treatment that St. Jude provides to its patients, I haven’t been able to turn down any opportunity to fund raise for the hospital,” Ruiz said. “It has also been a really great learning experience.”
Many students who did not have time to serve as officers for the program were still able to contribute to the cause. They formed teams and attended the letter-writing event on Wednesday night from 6 to 9 p.m. in the University Student Union Ballroom.
Each team required a $30 registration fee, which included team T-shirts, food and drinks, as well as free admission to the Finale Event in March 2007.
“Participants simply compile a list of 50 names and addresses of people they actually know before the event,” Ruiz said. “Then on the letter-writing night, St. Jude provides each participant with 50 donation letters, 50 envelopes and 50 business reply envelopes.”
“Participants simply address the donation letters to the people they know. St. Jude then mails out the letters, and weeks later, donations start pouring in. The letter-writing event is the backbone to the fund-raising efforts of Up ’til Dawn.”
Courtney Odom, a sophomore human development major, helped run the letter-writing campaign on Wednesday night.
“The letter-writing campaign is where students ask for a one-time donation from their friends and family members,” Odom said. “All donations go directly towards the hospital so families do not have to pay for any medical treatments or housing.”
According to the Up ’til Dawn Web site, the hospital’s daily operating costs are over $1 million, which are primarily covered by public contributions. St. Jude’s pays for every medical expense for its patients, including travel to and from the hospital.
“Students are on teams of six with their friends who come to the letter-writing campaign and address their envelopes,” Odom said. “These students are automatically invited to the Finale Event on March 7th, where they can enjoy fun entertainment and speak with kids from the hospital.”
Miguel Garcia, a senior Information Systems major, participated in the letter-writing campaign.
“It is a great opportunity for our community to come together and help children in need,” Garcia said. “It gives me a good feeling knowing that a small amount can help out so much.”
