Belmont University junior Joe LaMartina has a very special reason for his commitment to St. Jude through the collegiate program, Up 'til Dawn. For this junior at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., St. Jude offers one of the primary reasons for hope that his sister Lily, 3, will defeat the cancer she is fighting. And that is why Joe is completely committed to raising funds for St. Jude.
For the last two years, he has done that through the collegiate fundraising program Up ‘til Dawn, in which students raise funds for St. Jude by seeking pledges for staying up all night. More than 700 participants registered for the Belmont event that began at 11 p.m. Jan. 26 and ended at 6 a.m. Jan. 27, raising more than $113,000 for St. Jude. Belmont is among the top five campuses for the program so far this year.
As a member of the college’s Up ‘til Dawn executive board, Joe visited St. Jude this summer. That visit occurred just a week before his sister received her diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common childhood cancer. Lily is being treated at a local hospital in their hometown of St. Louis.
“Even though Lily has not been treated at St. Jude, I am incredibly grateful to St. Jude because the research they have done and continue to do is helping to save Lily’s life,” said Joe, 21, who is majoring in biochemistry and molecular biology. Treatments invented at St. Jude have increased the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% when the hospital opened to more than 80% today.
“Seeing how amazing everyone at the hospital was and how amazing the patients were, was really inspiring,“ Joe said of his visit to St. Jude. “I truly felt like St. Jude was one of the greatest places on earth.”
New to Up ‘til Dawn, Belmont has been a very successful site for the program, which was established in 1999. In just three years, Belmont has raised $243,000 for St. Jude. Activities at this year’s event included a movie skit challenge, silent disco, four-way volleyball, obstacle course, a mini golf course, foosball, trivia, a mission room, racquetball and basketball.
The program has become part of the campus culture, and St. Jude is the official philanthropy of Belmont’s Greek organizations, said Joe, who hopes to serve on Belmont’s Up ‘til Dawn executive board next year. He has also applied to St. Jude’s summer Pediatric Oncology Education program. “My journey over the last year has caused me to fall in love with St. Jude.”
You, too, can make a difference for St. Jude kids.
Join a legacy of donors who have helped keep Danny Thomas' dream alive.
Read more inspiring stories
-
Preparing for a Pandemic
The staff at St. Jude go above and beyond to ensure patient and employee safety throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Read how St. Jude employees collaborate and innovate during this time.
-
Working like a dog: St. Jude Paws at Play celebrates six months of canine care
Brittany Reed and Shandra Taylor share their thoughts on how Puggle and Huckleberry have made an impact on the hospital and their lives. Read their reflections.
-
Journey to the Jude: Escaping war and poverty in his homeland, chef Johnny Siv develops culinary talents to feed the St. Jude community
After escaping the war-torn nation of his youth, chef Johnny Siv uses food to give back to the patients at St. Jude. Read more about his remarkable journey.
-
Tracing Martine Roussel’s independent streak from Africa to the National Academy of Sciences
Martine Roussel, PhD, is renowned for investigations into molecular-level causes of cancer and strategies in developing new treatments for pediatric brain tumors. Read about her journey.
-
Chaplain Kimberly Russell uses creative talent to adapt spiritual care board for St. Jude patients
Learn how St. Jude chaplain Kimberly Russell helps non-verbal patients communicate spiritual needs.
-
McMillion dollar gift to St. Jude
In 1995, a McDonald’s Monopoly $1 million instant-winner game piece was sent to St. Jude anonymously. It seemed like a holiday miracle too good to be true. Was it?
-
Welcoming all who enter
Janice Ivory has given out tens of thousands of smiles to the patients, staff and families of St. Jude over the last 32 years.
-
Celebrating Black History Month
We reflect on our heroes: doctors, patients and supporters who have been a part of our lifesaving mission.
-
Journey to the Jude: Inspired by global adventures, postdoc recruiter Deanna Tremblay seeks world-class scientists
Inspired by her global adventures, postdoc recruiter Deanna Tremblay of Academic Programs seeks world-class scientists.
-
Pediatric Cancer Genome Project sparks a decade of discovery
Leaders at St. Jude launched a bold initiative in 2010 to define the genomic landscape of pediatric cancer.
-
‘Tis the season for science: Elf rescue teaches students fun lesson
Patients in the St. Jude School Program used math and science to rescue stranded elves. Discover how they saved the holidays.
-
My Corner of the World: Regina Kolaitis, PhD
Scientist turned liaison Regina Kolaitis of the St. Jude Liaison Office explains the breadth and depth of hospital’s research efforts to a non-scientific audience.
-
Physical therapist grateful for her colleagues, opportunities after earning hospital’s highest staff honor
Amanda Curry received the hospital’s highest employee honor for her work with a new mobility program for patients. Discover why she thanks and credits her colleagues.
-
St. Jude talent experience advisor extends hospitality to job candidates and their families
From hospitality to human resources: Linda Smith of Human Resources changed careers to help St. Jude advance its mission.
-
Longtime employee shares story of personal, family military service
Seven years of U.S. Navy service helped prepare veteran Yvonne Carroll for her role as director of hematology patient services. Read her story.