Members of Slippery Rock’s Up ’til Dawn hosted a Recruitment Day event in the quad on Tuesday in hopes of adding new members to their organization in preparation for their annual overnight event on Nov. 20.
Up ’til Dawn is a national program that colleges participate in to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Public relations chair for Up ’til Dawn, Brooke Sheeler said students create teams of six and the teams must raise $100. She said if the team raises enough money, they gain entrance to the all-night celebration event, competing in games and activities and having fun. The event lasts from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. in honor of children with illnesses staying up all night for treatments, because this is the most common time chemotherapy is given.
SRU’s Up ’til Dawn event will begin at midnight on Nov. 20 in the Aebersold Recreation Center. Teams will compete in three challenges throughout the night and a winner will be crowned before the head-shaving contest to remind the participants of why they are there. The fundraising goal for Slippery Rock this year is $25,000.
Sheeler also said that Slippery Rock has an exciting opportunity for businesses or local members to participate. At St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, there is a wall called “The ABC’s of Cancer.” It is covered with letters from the alphabet and under each letter is something written by kids being treated. Sheeler said SRU is going to replicate this at the event and encourage businesses, departments and even individuals to sponsor a letter which, after the event is over, the sponsor is allowed to keep.
Executive Director of Up ’til Dawn, Meghan Cain said St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has helped the overall childhood cancer survival rate go from 20% in 1962 to 80% today.
St. Jude also shares all their research with other hospitals around the world, so children everywhere can get the proper treatment they need.
