TIGER TV ONLINE REPORTER

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is renowned for its work with young cancer patients.

Their mission statement is to “advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment  . . . no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family’s ability to pay.”

Accordingly, St. Jude relies solely on donations for medical research and patient treatment, said David Poe, the Child Life Specialist for Baton Rouge’s St. Jude Affiliate Clinic.

“Funds are raised through numerous different fundraisers,” Poe said.

That’s where Up ‘til Dawn comes in.

“Up ‘til Dawn is the collegiate partner of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital,” said Brooksie Bonvillian, executive director of Up ‘til Dawn.

Up ‘til Dawn has been part of the University for 10 years. The organization writes and sends letters to potential monetary donors.

“Our focus is letter writing,” Bonvillian said. “The program is really great because it’s so simple for students to get involved.”

St. Jude supplies Up ‘til Dawn with the letter writing material. Materials include prewritten letters, envelopes and postage. Students only need to sign their own names and fill in the names and addresses of potential donors.

Up ‘til Dawn’s executive board is comprised of eight members, Bonvillian said. She said it’s hard to tell how many members the organization has until the letter writing party.

The first letter writing party is November 18.

“Students can register online and track the progress they’ve made by sending out letters to family and friends,” Bonvillian said.

Poe said the community can also involve itself in other ways.

“During the holidays the community can help by donating gifts or adopting,” he said. “The community can also donate their time by coming and volunteering with the children.”

To register to be a part of Up ‘til Dawn, click here.