Students have the chance to send a message of hope on an index card to the children of St. Jude by stopping by the UC Atrium Nov. 18 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
On that day, the Lambda Theta Alpha sorority will be raising money for the fourth annual St. Jude Give Thanks Walk. They will gather the cards into a banner and carry it with them as they walk with the 3,000 people expected to take part the event on Nov. 22.
On Nov. 11, Lambda Theta Alpha held a similar fundraiser for St. Jude in the UC where they raised $120 according to Abigail Marbibi, Vice President of LTA.
Marbibi hopes to raise at least $500 with this fundraiser and have students fill out cards for the walk, but as there are only ten days left before the walk, Marbibi does not know if they will reach their goal of $500.
Marbibi said the cards filled out on Nov. 11 carried messages like “Tigers Love St. Jude” and “Don’t Stop Get Well Soon.”
“The purpose of creating this banner with messages of hope on it is to carry it at the St. Jude Walk and give hope to the children patients of St. Jude that are strong enough to attend the walk,” Marbibi said.
Marbibi said seeing the sick kids at the walk causes some teary eyes, but the children are very thankful for their efforts.
“It encourages me and ignites a passion,” Marbibi said. “I end up leaving feeling very selfless and began to focus on how important it is to focus on others more than yourself.”
Mykila Cobb, University of Memphis alumnus and the regional development representative for St. Jude’s American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charity, has been the coordinator for the walk for 2 years and 5 months.
“I love my job,” Cobb said. “Everything I’m doing is helping save a life.”
Cobb agreed with Marbibi that while teary eyes often flare up during the walk, it is still very rewarding and she gets a warm fuzzy feeling every time.
Cobb also had a message for those taking part in the event.
“Thank you for your support,” Cobb said. “Big or small, every dollar makes a difference.”
It is free to register for the walk. Just visit givethankswalk.org or at 7 a.m. the day of the walk.
Registration for the walk is free. Those interested can visit http://www.givethankswalk.com for more information. Attendees can also register for the event at 7 a.m. on the day of the walk.
