Celebrities Rally for St. Jude at Danny Thomas Celebrity-Am Tournament

MEMPHIS, Tenn.–Aug 16, 2024–

The annual Danny Thomas Celebrity-Am, held during the FedEx St. Jude Championship week on August 15, warmly welcomed St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital ® patients and their families. They cheered nearly 30 athletes, entertainers, and influencers who participated in a friendly round of golf to support the lifesaving mission of St. Jude: Finding cures. Saving children. ®

Former LPGA player Alexis Belton was among the celebrity supporters who participated in the event at Spring Creek Ranch in Collierville, Tenn. Celebrity teams recognized for their outstanding performance included actor Kevin Rahm’s team in first place, with ESPN host Victoria Arlen’s team and former NBA athlete and Memphis Tigers head coach Penny Hardaway’s team securing second and third places, respectively.

“The support of the celebrities participating in the Danny Thomas Celebrity-Am helps advance the incredible research and treatment happening every day at 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. “By taking the time to bring awareness to the lifesaving mission of St. Jude, these celebrities are showing what it means to live charitably, where small acts of kindness make a world of difference for kids in the United States and around the globe who are diagnosed with cancer and other life-threatening diseases.”

The event featured a diverse group of participants including actors Bradford Anderson and David Arquette, former LPGA player Alexis Belton, broadcaster Joe Birch, singer/songwriter Jillian Cardarelli, NBA athlete and analyst Vince Carter, music director Ray Chew, motocross & supercross World Champion Ryan Dungey, musician Hannah Ellis, television personalities Joey Graziadei and Kelsey Anderson, influencer Dustin Hadley, former NBA player and Memphis Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins, athlete Billy J, actor Richard Karn, NBA athlete Luke Kennard, former NBA player and broadcaster Brevin Knight, television host & realtor Rico León, Prince Lorenzo di Medici, DOTEXE co-founder Steve Nabi, amateur golfer & content creator Eliezer Paul-Gindiri, aka “Snappy Gilmore,” NBA broadcaster Pete Pranica, NFL coach & athlete Ron Rivera, NFL athlete Mark Rypien, actor/comedian Katt Williams, influencers Lunden & Olivia Stallings, and professional skateboarder Zion Wright.

This week, the importance of giving back reached a global stage. St. Jude patient art appeared on caddie bibs and throughout the FedEx St. Jude Championship course, allowing fans to witness the impact made by support from FedEx, PGA TOUR, and many PGA TOUR players. Since 1970, the Memphis PGA TOUR stop has raised over $74 million for St. Jude families.

Fans are encouraged to visit StJude.org/BirdiesAuction to bid on exclusive autographed items in an auction running through August 20.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats, and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Its mission, “Finding cures. Saving children. ®”, is clear. It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. When it opened in 1962, childhood cancer was often considered incurable. Since then, St. Jude has helped advance the overall survival rate from 20% to more than 80%, and it remains committed to ensuring that no child dies from cancer.

Through the generous support of donors, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing, or food, allowing them to focus on helping their child live. By sharing its breakthroughs, St. Jude aims to help doctors and researchers at local hospitals and cancer centers around the world improve the quality of treatment and care for even more children.

Support the St. Jude mission by donating at stjude.org, liking St. Jude on Facebook, following St. Jude on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok, and subscribing to its YouTube channel.

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Source: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital