“Fixer Upper” stars, Magnolia media moguls Chip and Joanna Gaines become official ambassadors for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Today, on the first day of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month (CCAM), St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital^® announced its newest ambassadors, Chip and Joanna Gaines, who have expanded their relationship with St. Jude, including participating in the annual St. Jude Thanks and Giving campaign.

As ambassadors, the Gaineses will support upcoming St. Jude campaigns, which include joining with other celebrities and influencers for #30DaysForStJude, a social media campaign throughout September encouraging people to learn about St. Jude and support its mission. They will also participate for the first time in the annual St. Jude Thanks and Giving^® campaign, where celebrities, supporters, media and brands unite to support St. Jude patients and families during the holiday shopping season. The Gaineses will feature in one of the campaign’s heartwarming spots seen in theatres and on screens across the country.

“Jo and I are honored to become St. Jude ambassadors. We've had the privilege of visiting St. Jude a few times over the years, and every time we do, we’ve been able to see that behind every incredibly brave kid is a loving and talented group of folks leading the charge for how childhood cancer and diseases are treated,” said Chip Gaines. “We love St. Jude for that reason, and of course for the fact that families do not receive a bill from St. Jude for care, including treatment, housing, meals, and travel. That’s a mission we are proud to be a part of. The strength, radiance, and courage of these kids has left a permanent mark on our hearts. They are our heroes, and we are honored to continue to do whatever we can to help St. Jude and their life-saving mission to care for these kids and their families.”

This is not the first time the Gaines family has supported St. Jude. Over the years they have teamed up with fellow celebrities on social media for the Chip In Challenge, created an outdoor patient playhouse and renovated the dining room at Target House, the long-term home away from home for St. Jude patients and families. They also contributed a portion of proceeds from Joanna’s children’s book, “The World Needs Who You Were Made to Be” and made a special connections with patients such as St. Jude patient Bailey.

“Chip and Joanna have done so much for St. Jude patient families over the years and we are incredibly grateful that they are joining us as ambassadors as we begin Childhood Cancer Awareness Month ” said Richard C. Shadyac, Jr., president and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “Their year-round support will unite people around the lifesaving mission of St. Jude and help advance its six-year, $12.9 billion strategic plan that accelerates research and treatment to help more of the 400,000 kids around the world with cancer.”

Thanks to 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 bonfire.com/lets-do-this-together to purchase the exclusive Childhood Cancer Awareness Month shirt designed by the Gaines family.