I’m giving thanks. This past year, I came to know Mary Elizabeth. I’m grateful to pal Julie from Run Walk Repeat for making the virtual introduction to this angelic soul. “ME” was treated at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, and her mom Mandi shared her daily wins and losses with us on Facebook. Though ME lost her battle this past September, for me she will always be the face of bravery, faith, and hope. I had led fundraising for St. Jude prior to “knowing” ME, and will do so again.
 |
| runDisney is the gift that keeps on giving. |
This Thanksgiving season, Jimmy Kimmel will become the high-profile knight leading the charge; the 12th Annual Thanks and Giving Campaign has begun! You can join the growing army of supporters by reading their press release below; I personally have my eye on several items in the St. Jude Gift Shop.
This one’s for you Mary Elizabeth!
LATE NIGHT HOST JIMMY KIMMEL JOINS 12th ANNUAL
ST. JUDE THANKS AND GIVING® CAMPAIGN
LONG TIME SUPPORTERS JENNIFER ANISTON, SOFIA VERGARA, MICHAEL STRAHAN, LUIS FONSI AND OTHERS JOIN MARLO THOMAS TO ‘GIVE THANKS’ DURING CHARITABLE HOLIDAY CAMPAIGN
(MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Nov. 17, 2015) – This holiday season Jimmy Kimmel makes his St. Jude Thanks and Giving® campaign debut alongside returning celebrity friends Jennifer Aniston, Sofia Vergara, Michael Strahan, Luis Fonsi and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® National Outreach Director Marlo Thomas. Collectively, they star in national television spots and a star-studded movie trailer asking people to help transform the holiday season into a time of giving thanks by raising funds and awareness for the ongoing battle to end childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
The St. Jude Thanks and Giving campaign is an unprecedented union of celebrities, media and more than 70 of the nation’s leading, national brands that ask consumers to support St. Jude while they shop this November-December. The national television spots debut on Monday, Nov. 23, and run through the end of the year.
“I’m honored to be involved in the St. Jude Thanks and Giving campaign this year and to be part of the team that is helping to save the lives of children in communities across America and around the world,” said Kimmel. “My new friends Kenlie and Jaycee, who I filmed a television spot with this year, are a true inspiration to me. I hope that everyone will join me and help the children of St. Jude who are in the biggest fight of their lives.”
The campaign’s national television spots air on network and cable television channels, as well as online, in both English and Spanish. The movie trailer appears in theatres nationwide and in Puerto Rico — including Regal Entertainment Group, AMC Theatres, Cinemark USA, Carmike Cinemas, Malco Theatres and many others. Additionally, the PSA is shown on American Airlines and Delta Air Lines flights and through Accent Health’s waiting room media network, a division of CNN. All of the spots, as well as exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, will debut online in late November.
The campaign will receive additional celebrity support from Lily Aldridge, Ashley Tisdale, Ashley Greene, Lucy Hale, The Band Perry, Sam Hunt, Olivia Holt, Zac Posen, David Lee, Mike Conley, Cristian de La Fuente, Karla Martinez, David and Tamela Mann, Jazmine Sullivan, Erica Campbell, Travis Greene, Anita Wilson, Latice Crawford and many others in the form of radio spots, online videos, social media support and more.
“We are so thankful for this incredible group of celebrity friends who lend their hearts, time and talent for our St. Jude Thanks and Giving campaign,” said Marlo Thomas, National Outreach Director for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “They help us bring our lifesaving mission to millions of people who then open their hearts to the children of St. Jude during the holiday season. This amazing support allows us to keep my father’s founding promise that no family pays St. Jude for anything – not for treatment, travel, housing or food – because we believe all a family should worry about is helping their child live.”
In addition, celebrities created holiday product to benefit St. Jude. Longtime supporter Daisy Fuentes designed an inspirational bracelet and the family of Maya Angelou designed a one-of-a-kind blessings jar for the St. Jude Gift Shop. Both of these products, along with hundreds of St. Jude items ranging from ornaments, baking goods and apparel, are available to purchase online during the holiday season with all proceeds benefitting St. Jude.
“These powerful voices and passionate hearts join Marlo Thomas and our long legacy of celebrities who have embraced Danny Thomas’ vision that ‘no child die in the dawn of life,'” said Richard Shadyac Jr., President and CEO of ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “With their support, the St. JudeThanks and Giving campaign has become part of a holiday tradition that reminds us all to reflect on the spirit of gratitude and to give so that we can find cures and help save children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases.”
Additional Quotes:
Jennifer Aniston“Over the past ten years I have been blessed to have met and worked with so many extraordinary and courageous boys and girls of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. They are all such an inspiration to me and have enriched my life. It’s an honor for me to be a part of the St. Jude family and I hope you will all join me in supporting St. Jude as they work to save the lives of children with cancer and other life threatening diseases across America and around the world.”
Sofia Vergara
“I love being a part of the St. Jude Thanks and Giving campaign. It’s so important to me to support the work being done at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. I hope to inspire everyone to help in the battle against childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases by donating to St. Jude this holiday season. With your help, we can give hope to children in communities across America and around the world that benefit from the lifesaving research and treatment being done every day at St. Jude.”
“I love being a part of the St. Jude Thanks and Giving campaign. It’s so important to me to support the work being done at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. I hope to inspire everyone to help in the battle against childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases by donating to St. Jude this holiday season. With your help, we can give hope to children in communities across America and around the world that benefit from the lifesaving research and treatment being done every day at St. Jude.”
Michael Strahan“One of the most meaningful things to me is spending time with the children of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Since my first visit to the hospital, I’ve committed myself to be an active voice in the fight against childhood cancer. The St. Jude Thanks and Giving campaign makes it easy for all of us to help in the effort to find cures and save the lives of children across America and around the world.”
Luis Fonsi
“Being in the music business has allowed me to travel the world and meet some amazing people. But nothing compares to the brave children I have met at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. They are so courageous as they fight against cancer and other life-threatening diseases. I am honored to be a part of the St. Jude Thanks and Giving campaign this holiday season and lend my voice and time in raising awareness to support St. Jude’s lifesaving mission of finding cures and saving children in communities across America and around the world.”
“Being in the music business has allowed me to travel the world and meet some amazing people. But nothing compares to the brave children I have met at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. They are so courageous as they fight against cancer and other life-threatening diseases. I am honored to be a part of the St. Jude Thanks and Giving campaign this holiday season and lend my voice and time in raising awareness to support St. Jude’s lifesaving mission of finding cures and saving children in communities across America and around the world.”
The St. Jude Thanks and Giving campaign began as a holiday-focused fundraising effort and has grown into an annual tradition that has raised more than $588 million thanks to tremendous public support. Throughout the months of November and December, consumers shopping where the St. Jude logo is displayed can make a donation at checkout or purchase specialty items that benefit St. Jude. Those wanting to support the lifesaving mission of St. Jude are also invited to donate online or by phone at 800-4STJUDE. For more information, visit www.stjude.org.
# # #
About St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital:
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to 80 percent since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude is working to drive the overall survival rate for childhood cancer to 90 percent, and we won’t stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude freely shares the discoveries it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Families 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. Join the St. Jude mission by visiting stjude.org, liking St. Jude on Facebook (facebook.com/stjude) and following us on Twitter (@stjude).
Tears…. "keep fighting no matter what…". Great post. These kids and families need us! I am so grateful that there is a place like St Jude for families so they don't have to worry about the cost of healthcare as their children fight for their lives.
And I am so grateful for YOU and your kind heart Julie- thank you!