Issue date: 2/8/07 Section: News

Media Credit: MCT The Up 'til Dawn group is a nation-wide, student-run organization that raises money for the St. Jude's Children Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., and helps children, such as Riza Ahmed, shown above.

Cabrini College's Up 'til Dawn event is raising awareness of children with cancer and money for their treatment. The Up 'til Dawn group is a national-wide, student-run organization that raises money for the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.

St. Jude's Hospital, located in Memphis, Tenn., is also a non-profit, pediatric-cancer center that never turns a child and their family away, even those that do not have the finances for treatment. The hospital even finds housing for the family while their child is being treated, and provides the necessary accommodations.

The Cabrini executive chef, Rodney Stockett, leads a culinary art team, which features chefs from Chez Colette at the Hotel Sofitel, in Philadelphia, Shorty's Sunflower Café, California Pizza Kitchen, and the Culinary Institute of America.

"I decided to get involved with 'Up til Dawn' two years ago," Stockett said.

The Up 'til Dawn Benefit Dinner will be held on Friday, Feb. 16 at 6 p.m. The menu will include a list of various appetizers, filet mignon, lobster and dishes of shrimp, chicken, lamb and duck. The event will also feature a delicacy of desserts, fine wines and other culinary specialties. "What better way to raise awareness and money but through food," Stockett said.

The night will also include a raffle and everything is donated, along with raised money from the dinner, directly to Saint Jude Children's Hospital.

"The cause is to raise money for kids that are battling cancer," Stockett said.

Saint Jude Children's Hospital never asks patients to pay anything beyond what their insurance covers and they are continually conducting research to cure childhood diseases. This research is shared with hospitals all over the world, including the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

The Up 'till Dawn Benefit Dinner will take place in the Cabrini College mansion. "It's quite over the top," Stockett said.

Although the night is an enjoyable time there is also a very real and serious aspect of the night to remind students of the cause at hand. A college-age cancer survivor, who has been treated at St. Jude's, will come to speak to the students and share his or her survival story.

"Even the chefs that have hired me in the business have volunteered their time and talents to help with the event," Stockett said.

Tickets are $40, and they are on sale now. Dress for this event is casual/ business casual. Tickets are limited. The contact is Anne Filippone, director of student activities.

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