More than 500 Northwestern State University students will join together to fight cancer and help St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at Up ‘til Dawn on Tuesday, March 13, from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. in Prather Coliseum.

Up 'til Dawn is a student-led, student-run program that has been hosted by more than 375 colleges and universities across the country since the program’s inception in 1999. The program unites faculty, staff and students in the fight against pediatric cancer and other catastrophic childhood diseases. Students learn about the mission of St. Jude and hold fundraising events including the Up ‘til Dawn event. The total donation amount raised by each campus is then announced at a campus event.

The theme for this year’s event is “Circus of Hope.” Those attending can receive free food, win door prizes, take part in a grand prize drawing and enjoy entertainment.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. It is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. St. Jude is the first and only pediatric cancer center to be designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute. Founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas and based in Memphis, Tenn., St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance. No child is ever denied treatment because of the family’s inability to pay.

For more information, go to nsula.orgsync.com/org/UptilDawnatNSU.