From left, committee members Martha Blackman, Jonathon Homan, Kim Valenzuela, Nat Barlow, Nick Ventura, Angela Chu, Sammie Mancine, adviser Liz Canales and Claudia Lee discuss the logistics of the letter-writing campaign to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

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Late-night festivities are par for the course for many University of Arizona students. But Angela Chu and seven fellow undergraduates are planning a party with a higher purpose on Saturday, March 7 — Up 'til Dawn is a fundraiser to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

"It's called Up 'til Dawn because the motto for St. Jude's is 'No Child Should Die in the Dawn of Life.' The research they do at St. Jude's is incredible. They share their research with hospitals around the country and around the world for free, so it has an impact on children all over the United States and all over the world," said Chu, a senior working toward a double major in communications and economics.

The Canyon del Oro High School graduate initially became involved with the hospital through her sorority, Delta Delta Delta. A visit to St. Jude's in Memphis inspired her to help bring Up 'til Dawn to the University of Arizona.

The national letter-writing campaign — in which teams of six members each address donation requests to family members and friends — is designed to unite college students, faculty members, sponsors and local communities to raise funds to help the children of St. Jude's.

Since 1998, more than 230 schools nationwide have raised more than $18 million through the campaign. Last year, the UA effort netted more than $18,000.

Chu said donations fund research and provide free care to children with life-threatening cancer.

"They don't charge patients, so they don't turn people away if they can't pay. They are the first hospital to not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin or ability to pay," Chu said.

The upcoming event will feature entertainment, food and raffle prizes, as well as a speech by Sierra Vista resident Dee Husson, whose son, John, was treated at St. Jude's.

Chu is hopeful the 80 teams will double the funds raised in 2008.

"Even with the economy, I am hoping with the new presidential election and everything changing and happening, that there will be a sense of hope in the air and people will be as generous and optimistic as they were last year," she said.