Through March 31, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® supporters are encouraged to tap into their creativity and embrace their inner artist through a new virtual campaign “Spring Into Holi, Splash Into Color” that celebrates Holi, the Hindu festival of colors marking new beginnings and the arrival of spring.
Online participants can produce watercolor art and create vivid digital photographs reflective of the cheerful and brightly colored halls at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The goal is to raise awareness and support for kids with childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
One young man celebrating new beginnings is St. Jude patient Avyan. When a CT scan revealed a cancerous tumor in his brain, Avyan’s doctor referred him to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital where he received chemotherapy and a special radiation therapy. Today, Avyan’s scans show no more evidence of cancer and he is getting ready to celebrate Holi at home with his family – as well as during a special St. Jude party online.
St. Jude patient Avyan blowing yellow Holi powder from his hand.
On March 18, St. Jude launched its Holi observance with a virtual photo booth allowing visitors to take selfies, choose special backgrounds and decorate the photos with frames inspired by St. Jude patient art. There is also an option to turn selfies into a multi-photo digital file for an added touch of fun.
Another offering is “Splash into Color”, an art workshop on Facebook on Tuesday, March 29, where artist Ericka Troyer from The Imagination Spot will show Avyan and attendees how to create a unique and colorful elephant with a watercolor gel crayon medium. At St. Jude, the elephant’s connotations of long life, family and memory hold special meaning for patients battling life-threatening diseases. Elephants are featured often in St. Jude patient art and around patient housing facilities, such as St. Jude Target House.
Participants in the photo booth activity and the Facebook paint party are encouraged to share their images and experiences on social media using the hashtag #SplashIntoColor.
St. Jude patient Avyan's parents celebrating Holi with painted faces.
This Holi celebration presents an opportunity to share the global impact of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Its work is central to the ongoing six-year $11.5 billion St. Jude strategic plan that triples its global investments to help more of the 400,000 kids around the world with cancer each year.
“We’re grateful for organizations like St. Jude that help kids with cancer and other catastrophic diseases,” Jasmine Wall, founder of The Imagination Spot. “Spring Into Holi, Splash Into Color is a wonderful way for people to enjoy Holi and expand their knowledge of Hindu culture, all while helping families find a home away from home at St. Jude by celebrating cherished cultural traditions.”
To join the festivities, visit: https://www.stjude.org/get-involved/other-ways/holi-festival-of-colors.html
St. Jude patient Avyan and his parents.
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.
Media Contacts:
To connect with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude, email mediarelations@alsac.stjude.org.
Stella Hill
Stella.Hill@tdwandco.com
Ashley Honma
Ashley.Honma@tdwandco.com