St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is a pediatric treatment and research center that focuses on the well being of children with catastrophic diseases. The institution has been widely successful in raising the survival rates of patients, especially those with pediatric cancer. Rates of survival have risen from 20 percent to a staggering 80 percent in the United States over the past 50 years, due to the research conducted.

St. Jude recognizes that a family’s main goal should be to help their child live. Through countless fundraising events and donations, the institution has made this goal a reality. On Jan. 8, at the Depot in downtown Minneapolis, St. Jude will be holding its third annual St. Jude Teen Gala. The gala aims to shed light on the St. Jude patients and their families, through attendees raising funds in these families’ honor.

In 2014, Orono’s own Crosbie and Carter Francis were determined to give back to the institution by creating the St. Jude Red Carpet for Hope Teen Gala. The two became inspired to further help St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital after their sister Marit was treated for a brain tumor at the age of six. The outcome is visible through the life that 14 year old Marit now lives.  

This year’s gala begins with a special presentation of the 74th Golden Globes and a walk on the red carpet. Participants also will be able to take part in dancing and have full access to food, desserts, and prizes. The teen event aims to raise $125,00 this year; this is $25,000 more than the 2016 goal. In order to ensure success, the event however requires that each attendee raises a minimum of $250. Once reaching the required amount, this achievement serves as a participant’s ticket into the event to celebrate their success for the kids of St. Jude. Additional incentives are offered for raising $500 and $1,000.

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“The event is honestly super rewarding. To see the outcome of all the hard work over the past few months and see the total of how much we’ve raised,” senior, St. Jude Teen Gala board member Claire Hrusovsky said.

Through the efforts of the St. Jude’s Red Carpet for Hope Teen Gala, additional fundraisers, as well as donations, the proceeds ensure that families never receive a bill for their child’s treatment, housing, or even food.  St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is creating a path to treat and defeat childhood cancer as well as other life-threatening disease, and will continue to impact the lives of all the children they help.