More than 200 emporia students witnessedUp ‘til Dawn revealing that they raised$29,091.19during the interval between the softball and baseball games at Trusler Sports Complex last Friday.

All of the money was donated directly to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“Up ’til Dawn is a non-profit organization that raises money and awareness for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital,” said Kalyna Nelson, junior sociology major. “This event not only benefits the Hospital but also benefits the student and participants of our organization. UTD offers a sense of gratification knowing that our time, energy and everything is helping children in need.”

Jaclyn Lane, executive director for the event, said the theme for Up ’til Dawn this year was “Strike out Cancer.”

“Since St. Jude treats patients regardless of their families’ ability to pay, the money will go towards paying for treatments, research as well as housing for the patient and their family while they are going through treatments,” Lane said.

Lane said that St. Jude and Up ’til Dawn program was amazing.

“We raise money so that ‘no child should die in the dawn of life,’” she said.

Up ‘til Dawn members spent months planning how to play out the events. They hope through their efforts more and more students would find out what St. Jude is and what they are doing.

“We hope the reveal shows the campus how their hard work paid off,” Lane said.“We have had so much student support this year with students forming teams and writing letters at our letter sending party in October, helping at ESU sporting events, and collecting change at their Greek houses or RSO meetings. We are also very thankful for the Black Women’s Network for having their proceeds of $130 from their Ball last semester go to Up ‘til Dawn.”

Up ‘til Dawn kept the amount of money ESU had raised a secret until the actual reveal. The only people who know the total before were Jason Bosch, assistant director of student involvement for Greek Life and adviser of Up ‘til Dawn, and Niki Leonard, senior event marketing representative of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“Last year we raised $32,300,” Bosch said.“All of the money raised through Up ’til Dawn programs supports St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The money helps keep the hospital running on a daily basis.”

Jason Bosch also emphasized that the Up ‘til Dawn program not only provided a ton of support for the students, but they also invested in students’ leadership development.

“We have amazing student leaders who plan and coordinate Up ’til Dawn fund raising events. They are a caring and motivated group and I’m so proud to be their adviser,”Bosch said.
Every year, two executive board members get to attend the St. Jude Collegiate Leadership Conference in Memphis. During the conference the Up ‘til Dawn members are able to meet with patients and doctors, tour the Hospital and get great ideas for its program.

Leonard said she appreciated what the members of UTD have done.

“They planned everything so well and organized the event efficiently,” Leonard said. “They did very a good job and they also make the whole university involved in it. Moreover, it helps the students to undertake leadership experience and community service.”

Lauren Reddick, a former St. Jude patient who now lives in Council Grove with her family, came along with Leonard and revealed the total money that ESU’s UTD raised on Friday. She was also invited to throw the first pitch at the baseball game.

“Lauren was diagnosed Retinoblastoma in February 2002 and then she got her left eye removed during a surgery at St. Jude in October 2002. After that, she is cancer free forever,” said Dana Reddick, Lauren’s mother. “We were very scared at first, and then we met Niki. St.Jude helped us cover all the expense for treatment. That relieved my worries about finance. Now Lauren can do everything she likes.She lives really well.”

Dana Reddick said thatUp ‘til Dawn not only changed LaurenReddick’s life but also brought her a new aspect to experience the world.

“She got to know how important life is, and also learn the attitude about helping and sharing,” Dana Reddicksaid.

Traci Schremmer, public relations chair and communication major, was responsible for contacting the Reddickfamily. She said it was an honor for her to do these kinds of activities to help children with cancer.

“You know what you do will make a difference,”Schremmer said, “As a member of the Up ‘til Dawn, it expresses positive power and in the end it turns out to making some changes to children’s lives. ”