Stay Up ’til Dawn With ISU

December 4, 2018

NORMAL, IL – Coming together and raising money to end childhood cancer is the goal for many Greek life chapters at Illinois State University (ISU).

Nov 10, 2018 members of the ISU community will come together to make a difference in the lives of those receiving treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Up ‘til Dawn is a fundraising event where participants partake in games, food, music and fellowship from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. the next day. “Staying up” ‘til dawn represents unity with the patients and families who stay up all night during rigorous treatment at St. Jude hospital. The location is a closely held secret only revealed to attendees on the night of the event.

One of the largest student organizations on campus is service and leadership sorority Epsilon Sigma Alpha (ESA) according to their official website. ESA sisters honor tradition passed down from previous members who devoted their time to Up ‘til Dawn and St. Jude fundraising. ESA was once the sole sponsor of the annual event up until the popularity of the event drew additional student groups. With Up ‘til Dawn now uniting the efforts of Greek and other organizations, fundraising is widely anticipated to surpass last years total.

According to the ESA website, the total funds raised during 2017’s event was $186,444 – a donation of which ESA contributed more than $100,000 to the event. Each participant who attends Up ‘til Dawn is required to raise $100 minimum. As they were the founding organization of the event, ESA members go above and beyond and raise a minimum of $200 per participant. Teams of six enter to compete in various activities throughout the night. The team competition encourages group interaction and an opportunity to meet other students inspired by the cause.

ESA’s “Hope for Heroes” Chair Alyssa Gasa said, “Never have I felt a more united school then when I see so many students joining together for a cause like St. Jude. Anyone can join in the fight against childhood cancer.” Gasa said, “We break up into different teams of six, and it is nice because you get to branch out of your circle and meet new people.”

Event speakers give participants a new perspective on the effects of St. Jude and how they are genuinely benefiting patients by with their contributions. Illinois State senior Caysie Thompson took part in the fight to end childhood cancer last school year. Thompson said, “Up ‘til Dawn is such an emotional experience. The board brings in guest speakers to the event to talk about their personal experiences. It is a very eye-opening opportunity for those of us who have not had to endure circumstances like childhood cancer.”

Another ISU sorority, Delta Delta Delta (Tri-Delt), participates in philanthropy for St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Tri-Delt is raising money to benefit St. Jude. Fraternity brothers from Delta Upsilon take trips with ESA to the St. Jude affiliated hospital in Peoria throughout the year as another effort in giving back. Not only are Tri-Delt and Delta Upsilon fundraising for St. Jude’s Children’s hospital by participating in Up ‘til Dawn, other Greek chapters are also taking part in the event. Alpha Omicron Pi and Chi Omega sororities also took part in Up ‘til Dawn in the fall of 2017 with team entries. Danny Thomas, the founder of St. Jude who promised that no families would ever have to pay any money while undergoing treatments. The St. Jude mission states that St. Jude will not stop raising money until no child dies from cancer.

The month of September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and many Greek life chapters on campus are starting to fundraise for Nov 10, 2018, Up ‘til Dawn event. Gasa said, “The Up ‘til Dawn committee is excited to see the results of fundraising efforts from the ISU community this year. And we all can not wait to stay up for good!”