Video: Large Crowd For Holiday Recital

[bitsontherun Ujbmpt9t]

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) -Tupelo residents are supporting St Jude Children’s Research Hospital as The North Mississippi Dance Centre hosted “Hope For The Holidays.”

Anne Raegan Sanders knows first—hand just how St Jude can impact your life.

“Well, I’m going to dance and try to raise as much money as I can for St Jude and I’m going to do a couple dances. I was a patient there and I just want everyone to get well soon like I did,” Sanders said.

Sanders was treated at St Jude for a little more than two years, after being diagnosed with leukemia at age one. She is now cancer-free and returns for check-ups every year. Her family says no matter the donation, every dollar goes toward a great cause.

“I think it’s so important just to let people know that St Jude is there to help children and that every dollar counts. A dollar, ten dollars, all the money goes straight to St Jude and straight to the children. Research is being done at St Jude, as well as treatment for kids and I’m just so happy to see the community come out to support such a great hospital,” said Anne’s mother, Brandi.

Each participant raised money for their time spent learning and rehearsing their dances.

“I almost raised five hundred dollars and im just really happy that everyone whose doing hope for the holidays is raising money for St Jude,” said Arianni Giorgenti.

Organizers say St Jude is thrilled with the progress they’ve made, as they’ve surpassed their initial fund raising goal.

“We set a goal for 75-hundred dollars, we exceeded that goal on Wednesday this week. We’ve raised over 9-thousand dollars. We are able to provide at least three patients with ultrasound studies,” said Event Organizer, Beth Richardson.

And they plan to bring the benefit performance back in the future.