September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month - a national movement to raise funds and awareness for the over 15,000 children who are diagnosed with cancer every year, according to the American Childhood Cancer Organization. Since the University of Memphis is heavily involved with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, it’s very personal for many students.
Up ‘til Dawn, the university’s primary fundraising source on campus for St. Jude, is orchestrating several events throughout September to keep students aware and engaged in its mission to end childhood cancer.
“National Reunion Day is St. Jude’s national push to raise awareness for childhood cancer,” Breanna Pollet, Up ‘til Dawn’s sponsorship director, said.
This will be their largest event, which will be held on Sept. 27 and 28.
“We’ll be setting up tables all across campus to educate students on Up ‘til Dawn and recruit them to join us in fundraising for the children of St. Jude,” Pollet said.
Sophomore Mary Kate Watson is applying for the Up ‘til Dawn position of Morale Captain. This role serves to keep students excited about the cause throughout the year.
“When we fundraise, it’s so easy to get caught up in the numbers and forget how our efforts impact a child’s ability to get treatment.” Watson said. “Childhood Cancer Awareness month is so impactful for me. This month really brings everything back into focus.”
Applications for Morale Captain are live on Tiger Zone and due Sept. 6 by midnight.
Social media also plays a large part in Up til’ Dawn’s efforts. The executive board is currently creating a marketing graphic image for members to post on their social media and is encouraging members to begin posting their personal fundraising pages this month.
“People really have a heart for St. Jude and its mission during an important month like this,” Pollet said. “It’s a great opportunity to fundraise.”
Watson said she agreed in the importance of using social media to raise awareness and increase fundraising.
“If we can really pull Childhood Cancer Awareness Month into it and show people why we’re raising money. I think it will have an even bigger impact on our community,” Watson said.
The St. Jude hashtag is #stjudeUTD and members are encouraged to use it.
Last year, Up ‘til Dawn had a record breaking year, raising $275,000. This year, they are aiming for at least $250,000.
Outside of Up ‘til Dawn, some students are taking their involvement with St. Jude to a corporate level, with fall internships starting in the coming weeks. Senior Stephanie Pierce, a Up ‘til Dawn member and former executive officer, is beginning her fourth internship with St. Jude next week. She’ll be in the strategic partnerships department.
“St. Jude is one of those organizations you can’t not love,” Pierce said. “With the internship being so close to the hospital, you really get to see where your fundraising efforts are going.”
Enterprise support supervisor Jeremy Randolph said fifteen new interns start later this month at the St. Jude University Engagement Center, located in the Billy Mac Jones building.
“It’s our responsibility to save the next generation,” Pierce said. “With so much bad in the world, St. Jude is an amazing reflection of everything good. I’ve been on the outside, the inside, and alongside St. Jude, and no matter what perspective I look at it, its mission is still amazing.”
