MILLSTONE — Local cheerleaders will show just how head over heels they are for the research and treatment of childhood cancer and other deadly diseases.

The All-Star teams and tumbling classes at Cheer University in Millstone want other community members to help them show support for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital by rooting them on in a tumble-athon Feb. 9.

The event will raise funds for the Memphis, Tenn. based hospital, which is the premier center for the research and treatment of childhood cancer and other deadly diseases.

Jamie Tringali, coordinator of the event, said the hospital is the leader in the fight against catastrophic childhood diseases such as leukemia, brain tumors and sickle cell disease.

"Through events like this one, Cheer University will be supporting the St. Jude mission of finding cures and saving children from across the country and around the world," Tringali said.

Cheer University, located at 400 Rike Drive in Millstone, is an institution dedicated to educating children of all ages to develop themselves physically, mentally, emotionally and morally through cheerleading and tumbling programs. Through programs like the special event for St. Jude, the university hopes to increase children's awareness about societal issues and their participation in community service.

The late entertainer Danny Thomas founded St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The hospital shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. No family ever pays for treatments not covered by insurance, and families without insurance are never asked to pay. For more information, visit www.stjude.org.

For more information about Cheer University, its programs and the tumble-a-thon, call 609-301-7071.