01/22/16 sds
HAYS, Kan. -- Fort Hays State University's Stripes for Hope will host its annual letter writing event to raise money for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital on Tuesday, March 1.

The event, which raised more than $30,000 last spring, asks students to address letters to friends and family. The letters contain information about St. Jude and encourage donations to the hospital. Participants will compete in teams for prizes donated by community sponsors.

Non-profit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, founded by Danny Thomas, is devoted to finding cures for devastating childhood diseases. Patients are treated regardless of their financial situation and are given free treatment, travel and accommodations. These efforts are made possible by public contributions and donations raised by events such as the letter writing campaign.

Stripes for Hope was founded by a group of college students who wanted to raise awareness for the hospital and the childhood diseases that it helps research. Since it's first year in 1998, the organization has spread to 330 campuses and has raised more than $34 million for St. Jude.