Millikin University will be hosting Up ‘til Dawn on Feb. 27 in order to raise money to support St. Jude Children Research Hospital.

Millikin began its Up ‘til Dawn program back in 2004. Sarah Johnson was Millikin student who wanted her campus, the school she cared about, to support the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, because she was a former patient at the hospital. Maizee Lamb, a member of the group of students organizing the event elaborated further on the importance of Millikin students showing their support for this philanthropic endeavor.

“When Millikin students participate in Up ‘til Dawn, they raise both awareness and funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital,” Lamb said. “The daily operating cost of St. Jude is $2 million – and, no family ever receives a bill! Most of St. Jude funding comes from individual supporters, which makes each donation large and small incredibly important.”

When spoken to back in November, the Up ‘til Dawn event had the support of 34 teams across Millikin’s small campus. Each participant must raise at least 100 dollars to support the cause, and Lamb said, “which could not be easier to do with the tools we give you! The Executive Board is with you ever step of the way to help you reach your goals.”

Did you know that Up ‘til Dawn isn’t specific to Millikin University’s campus? You’ve probably seen the event posters around campus, and heard about your friends participating in the event in order to raise money for research to battle against childhood cancer.

Maybe you didn’t know however that our Millikin students aren’t alone in their efforts to raise funds for St. Jude Children hospital. That’s right, all across the country college students are putting late night insomnia to good use and banding together.

You may be curious has to how college students are coming together under one umbrella to support a specific philanthropic event. Students at Millikin who are participating in Up ‘til Dawn joined the support efforts last semester. That’s right, Up ‘til Dawn isn’t simply a fly by one night fundraiser that get’s tucked away until it’s time to do it next year.

Millikin students participating in Up ‘til Dawn started their fundraising efforts last semester when teams signed up to support St. Jude.

Maizee Lamb said, “This is a campus-wide philanthropic organization and event. Participants form teams of six and use peer-to-peer fundraising strategy to meet a minimum requirement as their ticket into the event.”

Throughout the semester are peers have been involved in this endeavor, competing with the other Up ‘til Dawn teams to raise money for research. Now you may be wondering what then is the Up ‘til Dawn event that is happening on Feb. 27. After several months of individual team based fund raising strategy, the teams of Millikin’s Up ‘til Dawn event will be coming to together to celebrate their efforts in supporting research on childhood cancer for St. Jude.

“The night of the event, participants will compete in various challenges all over campus to come out as the top team,” Lamb said. “All participants will literally stay Up ‘til Dawn to honor the patients and families of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.”

When asked what her favorite part of the event was, Lamb  said, “Teams won’t know where they’ll compete or what they’ll be doing until the night of the event – and all notifications are sent via text message over the course of the evening.”

With the event taking place in two days, it’s a little late to register now, but all students are encouraged to participate in the event next year. Students who wish to raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital should keep an eye for signs that tell them when the event will begin again. Up ‘til Dawn can be a great way to raise funds for the research and the support of families who are battling childhood cancer. Using this the nationwide slogan for Up ‘til Dawn, “Stay up for Good.”