'Up 'til 2' takes over ARC for third year

SRU is again helping to move St. Jude Children's Hospital closer to realizing the ultimate dream of founder Danny Thomas, who said, "No child should die in the dawn of life." Tonight at 8 p.m., the Aebersold Recreation Center will host 'Up 'til 2 With St. Jude,' a spinoff of the national 'Up 'til Dawn for St. Jude.'Jamie Russell, the assistant director for Living-Learning Community Development and staff advisor for the event, said that St. Jude was chosen because, unlike any other pediatric treatment and research facility, discoveries made at St. Jude in Memphis, Tenn., have altered how the world treats children with cancer and other diseases.

Heather Strong, 26, a second year graduate student of the community counseling program, is the advisor of the event.

"What makes St. Jude's work seem so amazing to me is that in 1962, when it was founded, the survival rate for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), which is the most common form of childhood cancer, was 4 percent," Strong said. "Now, the survival rate for this once deadly disease is 94 percent, thanks to research and treatment at St. Jude."

According to Strong, the Living-Learning Community organization (LLC) asks that each participant brings 35 addresses of close friends or family members so premade letters from St. Jude can be sent. The letters request that students' friends and family members donate money to help children with cancer and other diseases.

"It costs over $1 million each day to keep the doors of St. Jude open, so Slippery Rock's yearly donation is extremely important," Strong said.

She said children from around the world are treated at St. Jude regardless of an inability to pay. On a national scale, each set of 50 letters generates approximately $300 in donation to St. Jude. The work required of Up 'til 2 participants is minimal, yet the outcome is extremely successful and appreciated by St. Jude Children's Hospital.

Strong said this year she wants to provide an incentive for people to have fun, but she also wants people to be reminded that the children are at the heart of the event. This year, the event will feature a local patient who was treated and cured by St. Jude doctors. There will also be various performances, food and activities. Playthings, Etc. will be providing a plasma car obstacle course, a corn hole tournament will be held and there'll be inflatable games. SRU cheerleaders will also visit, as well as groups that include The Calamity, Caution Crew, Dance Express, The Chosen Generation Gospel Choir, DJ Joe Byrd and a famous Disney M.C.

If people bring and prepare their 35 recipients, they'll be entered to win a Wii, Strong said. Throughout the evening, participants can also earn raffle tickets and be entered to win various gift certificates and gift baskets.

"Students are welcome to come the evening of the event to participate-even if they don't have 35 addresses," Strong said. "Every effort helps to save lives. All of the money raised goes to treatment and research at St. Jude."

Colleen McBee, 21, a senior exercise science and dance major, is the executive director of "Up 'til 2 for St. Jude."

"It's good to help others and it's one of the most rewarding things to be able to help little kids who have cancer," McBee said. "I don't think children who are so young should be denied the right to life."

Russell said that last year, over $19,000 was raised and over 200 students pre-registered. She said she's excited to see what impact students will have this year with 600 students already registered.

"It's remarkable how St. Jude cheers the Living-Learning Community group on and lets them know what a real impact they're making," Russell said. "It's rewarding to see the passion of the students who want to help."

"'Up 'til 2 for St. Jude' is a good combination of a wonderful cause and a lot of fun," Strong said. "People can come connect with each other and with reality, and save lives in the process.