St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital serves as an official charity of USA TODAY NETWORK Ventures’ Virtual Event Series which include popular endurance events throughout the country including the Allstate Hot Chocolate 15K/5K Series and the Warner Bros. Virtual Run Series spanning the DC Batman™ Virtual Run, Elf Run Virtual 10K/5K, Christmas Story Virtual Run, DC Wonder Woman™ Virtual Run, and the Scooby-Doo™ Family and Pet Virtual Run/Walk.
Runners, walkers, and superheroes across the United States have come together and raised more than $500,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through these virtual races and endurance activities in 2020 and early 2021. In 2020 alone, these events included more than 250,0000 virtual race finishers. The events are all scheduled to return for their second editions in 2021, continuing to support St. Jude.
“Endurance athletes united with a powerful purpose last year to foster a strong community of kindness and giving, especially for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital,” said Richard C. Shadyac Jr., President and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “We are grateful for our St. Jude Heroes®, runners, walkers and fitness enthusiasts who continue to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, whether they participated on the treadmill, sidewalk, bike, trail or other endeavor. Seeing thousands of dedicated athletes running and moving and raising money virtually reminds us of the power we have as individuals to directly change the lives of those most vulnerable, today and into the future.”
The funds raised for St. Jude are used to support vital research and treatment which have helped increase the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to more than 80 percent since the hospital opened over 50 years ago. St. Jude continues to uphold its promise that families will never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.
“Supporting the kids and families at St. Jude is important to us and we are honored to not only provide a platform and motivation for people to stay healthy and active, but to positively impact the mission of St. Jude through our virtual events,” said John Smith, who leads endurance partnerships at USA TODAY NETWORK Ventures. “In less than a year we’ve seen our runners’ enthusiasm for St. Jude grow and are eager to extend this effort not only virtually, but across live events later this year to continue building awareness of their remarkable lifesaving work.”
As St. Jude Heroes, virtual run participants choose to dedicate their training and race day miles to support kids with childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Additionally, participants will receive swag bags with tech T-shirts or hoodies, depending on the season; personalized bibs; other collectible accessories and themed commemorative finisher medals. To learn more about how to support St. Jude or to register as a St. Jude Hero® in an upcoming event in 2021, visit stjude.org/heroes.
