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Printer-Friendly ModeLetter-writing party aims to raise money
December 4, 2006 —
The third-annual "Up 'til Dawn" letter writing party was held Monday in the Multipurpose Room to raise money for charity.
All night, students tried to "fight the yawn" to raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis. Pre-written letters attached with donation forms were sent to the hundreds of addresses the students compiled.
St. Jude's was founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas in 1962 and is now the largest childhood cancer research center in the world. The hospital's daily operating cost is more than $1 million which is primarily covered by public contributions and all patients are treated for free.
Since St. Jude's opened, their research has been able to help children's cancer survival rates in many areas, including in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). In 1962, the survival rate for children was around four percent. Today that number is 85 percent.
Seven e-board members, including Director of Executive Board Anita Galloway, led most of the program. A total of 57 students registered and walk-ins were welcome. Galloway hoped to attract as many people as last year, which she said was roughly 200.
"It was a packed house last year," Galloway said.
Much of the program was put on by donation, and prizes such as CDs, DVDs, and gift certificates were raffled off. Students were also given a raffle ticket for every 10 letters they addressed in order to be in the raffle for a free iPod. Free food and drink was available as well.
Students were also entertained throughout the night by the Forte Hip Hop Dance Team and the SVSU Dance Team. Performances from SVSU students Frances Turner and Tacarra Ford were also given. Turner carried out a solo dance act, while Ford read an original poem.
Ford has battled cancer herself and said the event was a great chance to raise funds for St. Jude's.
"I've been in the hospital a long time and I know how pricey and expensive it can get," she said.
Ford said she wants to make patients' experiences less stressful and easier for them while they recuperate.
Student Paige Jackson said she also realizes how important raising money is and came in with a long list of addresses ready to help. She said she knows cancer survivors and how much an event like this can mean to them.
"This is my chance," she said, "to help somebody else survive."