Up Til’ Dawn is an on campus organization raises money and awareness for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

St. Jude Children’s Research hospital runs solely on donations to provide care and treatment at no cost to the children or their families. Ten years ago, TCU incorporated an organization called Up Til’ Dawn that helps raise money and awareness about St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN., Katie Rial said.  

Up Til’ Dawn is an on campus organization that raises money to help kids with childhood cancer. It costs over 1.8 million dollars a day to keep the hospital running. Up Til’ Dawn has raised over $100,000, Katie Rial, executive director of Up Til' Dawn, said.

Rial’s job entails making sure everything runs smoothly; planning events, fundraising and ensuring that the members stay focused on their goals.

“As an organization it is our job to keep TCU up-to-date with continued efforts of St. Jude Research Hospital," she said. "We raise money to keep the hospital going, to save more lives, and eventually end childhood cancer.” 

The organization will host a letter-writing event in which students can address 50 envelops as well as mail a pre-written letter to send out to family members, Rial said.

The letters explain Up Til’ Dawn’s cause and include information about the hospital, Rial said. Up Til’ Dawn will also provide free food and entertainment for those who attend. 

“This allows others to donate, raise awareness and see that TCU students are making a difference in kid’s lives,” Ashley Nelson said.

Ashley Nelson, a junior at TCU, and has been on the executive board of Up Til’ Dawn for three years.

The letter-writing event involves teams of people filling out pre-written letters. The letters explain Up Til’ Dawn’s cause and include information about the hospital, Rial said. Up Til’ Dawn will also provide free food and entertainment. 

This year Up Til’ Dawn is planning the letter writing for the spring. They will follow the letter writing with a finale celebration in April to thank the participants in helping them achieve their goals, Rial said.

Rial said their specific goal this year is to raise $80,000 and write 100,000 letters.

When asked if any student on campus used the benefits of this club, Rial said, “Almost everyone on campus has been affected by cancer in some way or another. Many know what St Jude is because they have had a loved one hospitalized there.”