A student-run philanthropy event at the UA will help raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the next few weeks.

Up ‘til Dawn is a student-run, campus-wide philanthropy event that will take place in the Student Union Memorial Center Grand Ballroom on April 7 and raise money for St. Jude’s, which relies primarily on public funding through donations. The hospital requires $1.8 million a day to fulfill its purpose of providing treatment to children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases free of charge.

Those interested in helping can bring at least 35 addresses of friends and family to send them a pre-written letter requesting donations to help St. Jude’s. The event lasts a day, with the first shift running from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. and the second from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Last year’s Up ‘til Dawn event raised more than $42,000 for St. Jude’s. This year, the event’s goal is $80,000.

“It’d be really exciting if we got to reach our goal,” said Elizabeth Graham, a retailing and consumer sciences senior and executive director on the philanthropy event’s board. “Just knowing that St. Jude’s Hospital needs $1.8 million a day and that we are trying to raise money for them, even just a small chunk of that, is a huge accomplishment.”

However, Graham said she is worried some students might not participate because it is organized through Greek Life.

“I think the problem that we’ve had is that it’s called the all-greek philanthropy event and I think that that deters other people from wanting to participate,” Graham said. “We really want clubs and organizations to be a part of it as well.”

All greek organizations are required to participate in the event, according to Graham. They will get involved by conducting some of the activities at the event.

Festivities will include free food, prizes, raffles and live performances by Black N’ Blue Hip Hop Crew, Cat Call, Zach White, Jake Broido and Something Like Seduction.

“It’s important because it brings all of Greek Life together for a great cause,” said Ashley Lovich, an education sophomore and president of Sigma Kappa sorority. “Helping St. Jude’s out by raising money to help find a cure for cancer is awesome and it’s a great way to get involved in the community.”

St. Jude’s cares for 7,800 patients yearly, according to Kimberly Weeth, event marketing representative at the hospital. Most of the patients are out-patient and visit regularly for chemotherapy treatments. St. Jude’s has seen a significant amount of success in previous years from its involvement with the UA, Weeth said.

“I am blown away by the work the executive committee has done,” Weeth said. “They are organized and compassionate. They really want to make the student body understand why they are doing this. I credit a lot of the success to [the UA’s] executive committee.”