Up ’til Dawn is ‘Star of the Week’ for Successful Event
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 18, 2005
Kathleen McPartland
530-898-4260
Larry Bassow
Housing and Food Service
503-898-6325
Up ’til Dawn is ‘Star of the Week’ for Successful Event
The fifth annual student-sponsored Up ’til Dawn event at California State University, Chico, held on Nov. 7, was a resounding success. More than 850 participants produced over 18,000 letters to friends and family requesting donations for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
CSU, Chico was named “Star of the Week” by St. Jude’s for its remarkable efforts on behalf of the hospital and the children and families it serves.
More than 70 teams-half made up of students from residence halls, and the other half made up of students from Greek and other campus organizations-met for a night of letter writing and education on St. Jude’s research and treatment of childhood cancer and other catastrophic diseases.
The students heard from CSU, Chico President Paul Zingg, who told them how proud he was of them and pledged $1,000. They met former St. Jude’s patient Ramon Hernandez and his family from Mexico. Ramon won his fight against Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia after years of treatment.
In the last four years, the Up ’til Dawn program in Chico has raised more than $200,000. Last year, CSU, Chico finished sixth in the nation with contributions totaling just over $80,000.
“We expect to top our last year’s total. I can’t say enough about how hard these students worked to pull off one of the most amazing fundraising events I’ve ever seen,” said Larry Bassow, University Housing and Food Service and an advisor to the event. “Chico students are special for their enthusiasm and willingness to get involved.”
Although St. Jude Hospital is located in Memphis, Tenn., doctors and hospitals use its work throughout the world. The hospital, founded by late entertainer Danny Thomas, is committed to treating all children, no matter what their economic situation.
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