Up ’til Dawn is a national fund-raising program, which has grown from one college to more than 75 in the past four years. These college campuses hold all night Up ’til Dawn fundraisers from coast to coast. To date, the program has raised close to $500,000 for St. Jude.
Thousands of students participate in money-making events, including radio-a-thons, captured for kids events, walk-a-thons, letter writing for donations campaigns, and Finale Celebrations. Their efforts throughout the year help to raise money that can be vital to saving the lives of children at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This money is put to use in the many biomedical research projects hosted at the hospital.
St. Jude, in Memphis, Tennessee, was founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas. The hospital is an internationally recognized biomedical research center dedicated to finding cures for tragic childhood diseases. The hospital’s work is supported through funds raised by the American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities. All St. Jude patients are treated regardless of their ability to pay. ALSAC covers all costs for families who have no insurance.
The program culminates with a night of fun-filled activities for its participants. This main overnight philanthropic extravaganza is a celebration of the past fund-raising efforts by the students to benefit St. Jude. The final event for the RPI campus will take place in late April, around the week after Grand Marshal Week. All are welcome to help support the Up ‘til Dawn program at Rensselaer.
Since this program is still quite young at RPI, look for information about their fundraising events around campus and in The Poly. If you are interested in getting involved with the program contact the director, Joe Sochet, at sochej@rpi.edu.
