St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is once again teaming up with NBA Cares for Hoops for St. Jude Week™ March 11 – 17 to raise awareness and support for the hospital's lifesaving mission: Finding cures. Saving children.® Each year, NBA players, coaches, broadcasters and fans rally behind St. Jude, which is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
Regardless of the final score, the kids of St. Jude get the "W" during Hoops for St. Jude Week, when NBA teams and players shine a light on the work and successes of St. Jude through online, social media and in-game promotions, in addition to hosting local patients in-arena. St. Jude NBA ambassadors, who make regular visits to the hospital, will encourage fans to join the fight to save the lives of children battling cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
2018 Hoops for St. Jude Week Ambassadors:
- Mike Conley, Memphis Grizzlies
- Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies
- Pau Gasol, San Antonio Spurs
- Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers
- Coach Rick Carlisle, Dallas Mavericks
"We are deeply appreciative of the year-round support of the NBA Family, fans and our ambassadors," said Richard Shadyac Jr., President and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude. "Hoops for St. Jude Week provides a national platform to celebrate their efforts and further highlight how we are truly making a difference in the lives of kids everywhere."
The NBA's support stretches beyond Hoops for St. Jude Week, with player and team visits throughout the year that never fail to brighten the days of St. Jude patients. Just this season, the hospital has hosted on-site and in-arena visits by players, coaches, broadcasters, owners and staff from the New Orleans Pelicans, Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, Indiana Pacers, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, LA Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves and Toronto Raptors. NBA G League teams, the Texas Legends and Memphis Hustle, also visited the hospital this season.
Thanks to support generated through campaigns like Hoops for St. Jude Week, 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.
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. Its purpose is clear: Finding cures. Saving children.® 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% to more than 80% since the hospital opened in 1962. St. Jude won't stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude 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. Because of generous donors, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food, so they can focus on helping their child live. Visit St. Jude Inspire to discover powerful St. Jude stories of hope, strength, love and kindness. Join the St. Jude mission by visiting stjude.org, liking St. Jude on Facebook, following St. Jude on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok, and subscribing to its YouTube channel.
About NBA Cares
NBA Cares is the league's global social responsibility program that builds on the NBA's mission of addressing important social issues. NBA Cares programs and participants have provided more than 4.3 million hours of hands-on service and created more than 1,125 places where kids and families can live, learn or play in communities around the world. The NBA also engages more than 18 million youth annually, inspiring play and teaching the values of the game. NBA Cares works with internationally recognized youth-serving programs that support education, youth and family development, and health-related causes, including: Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Special Olympics, YMCA of the USA, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, UNICEF, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Share Our Strength and GLSEN.